A  K 

HISTORICAL  AND  GEOGRAPHIcSt 

ACCOUNT 

O    F 


A  L.G.I  E 


3 

COMPREHENDING 

A  NOVEL   AND    INTERESTING 
DETAIL  OF  EVENTS 

RELATIVE    TO 

THE  AMERICAN   CAPTIVES, 


BY  JAMES  WILSON  STEVENS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

'PRINTED  BY  HOGAN  &  *'«.*or,CEOHGE-STMKT 
THIRD  DOOR  BELOW  SOUTH-STREET' 

Auguft,   1797, 


ENTERED  ACCORDING  FQ  ACT  OF  CONGRESS, 


T    O 

JOEL   BARLOW,   ESQ. 

AS  A    TRIBUTE   DUE 

TO  HIS  BENEVOLENCE, 

AND    A    MEMENTO    OF 

HIS    UNREMITTED    EXERTIONS 

IN  RESCUING  OUR  FELLOW-CITIZENS 

FROM   BONDAGE, 

THE  FOLLOWING  WORK 

IS  RESPECTFULLY   INSCRIBED 

BY    THE    AUTHOR- 


PREFACE. 


AFRICA,    though  contiguous   to  ihe   mvft  commercial 
nations  in  the  worldy  from  whom  one  ^wonhl  naturally 
fuppofe  it  might  derive  fome  portion  of  refinement)    is  yet 
involve!  in  a  ft  ate  of  the  moft  deplorable  barbarifm  ;  and 
its  very  at  mofphere  fee  ms  fraught  with  the  moft  det  eft  able 
depravity  in  human  nature*  Hence  the  fpirit  of  difcovery 
rivill  ever  be  retarded^  and  travellers  it;//  hav*  lut  little 
inducement  to  explore  a  region  where  they  muft  be  exp&fed. 
to  fuel)  a  corftant  fucceffion  of  dangers* 

Since  the  deft ruB ion  of  Carthage*  civilization  feens- 
not  an  attribute  of  the  kingdom  of  Algiers ,  or  of  any  of  the 
ftates  of  Barb ary  ;  and  fuel)  is  the  virulence  cf  Ma- 
Lometan  antipathy  to  every  thing  that  bears  the  name  of 
Chriftian>  that  their  contiguity  to  Europe  has  perhaps 
tended  to  render  them  even  more  ferocious. 

In  rendering  an  account  cf  this  famous  regtrt;:y  ivLo 
tkfmf elves   by  their  *villany%    the 

author 


*•/  P    R    E     F    A    C    E, 

i 

auilcr  has  availed  hjmfelf  cf  the  moft  unexceptionable 
documents  that  could  be  procured)  and  perfpicuity  ivjiead 
of  elegance  and  the  complete  developement  of  TRUTH 
have  been  his  primary  objects  in  the  compilation  cf  the 
work* 

In  its  execution  he  has  laboured  under  federal  dif- 
advantages*  The  frft  Jheets  were  put  to  prrfs  but 
a  few  days  after  the  work  <was  commenced^  and  before 
half  the  ma'.srials  were  collected.  Great  expedition  cwas 
therefore  indifpenfibly  reqnifite,  find  this  circumftauce  will 
apologize  for  inaccuracies  or  dfjultory  arrangements. 

The  ixsrk  isy  however,  ?nuch  more  perfect  than  was 

•:allv  contemplated.      It  exhibits  a  more  circumftantial 

.'.'/  of  Alverine  affairs  of  a  recent  date  than  <was  ever 

J  «i  •JJ  J 

:rc  publ'ifi-jedy  and  will  ivt  prefume  afford  the  Ameri- 
ca-i  reader  a  tolerable  idea  of  this  fajxous  piratical  re» 
-.',   to   which  the  United  States  have  lately  had  the 
•  ?n  of  becoming  tributory* 

It  comprehends)  befidcs  an  ample  account  of  the  late 
J;:::rican  negotiation)  a  variety  of  original  obftrva- 
thns  upon  the  government,  fortifications y  cufiom sand  man 
ners,  punifimextS)  religion,  &c.  of  the  Algerines ;  and 
for  this  original  matter  the  public  are  ztnder  ccnfiderable 
obligations  to  Mr.  ISAAC  BROOKS,  a  gentleman 
cf  veracity  and  intelligence^  who  was  one  of  the  nrifor- 
iuna'e  nunlcr  who  were  fubje fled  to  the  miferies  of  thi-s 
unparalleled  Jer<vitude*  The  fe^eri'j  of  his  afflictions 


PREFACE.  vii 

has  reduced  him  marly  to  a  ft  ate  of  blindnefs  •  a  misfor 
tune  which  afforded  him  ample  hifure  for  rendering  a 
more  minute  account.  In  all  his  communications  he  has 
cortfci&itwujiy  adhered  to  the  truth >  detected  mifreprefen- 
tationS)  and  related  nothing  but  what  will  bear  the  teji 
of  the  jlriciefl  examination. 

^he  fubjeft  is  particularly  inter  oft  ing  to  the  American 
people^  and  as  the  author  has  recorded  events  which  are 
recent  in  the  memory  of  all  the  captives,  he  has  been  fcru- 
puloxjJy  circumfpeft  in  admitting  nothing  but  matters  of 
undifputed  authenticity* 

The  loft  chapter  is  an  abjtracJ  or  compendium  of  the  ad* 
ventures  of  E?nanuel  D'Aranda,  "  a  poor  f oldie  r*'  as  he 
was phafed  to  call  himfelf->  probably  with  a  defign  to  &uads 
the  payment  of  the  exorbitant  fum  demanded  for  the  ranfom 
of  all perfons  cf  quality,  We  find,  however,  by  a  Latin 
tultfgium  in  <verfe  prefixed  to  the  French  edition  of  his 
work,  that  he  is  called  nobili  confultifiimoque  Emanueli 
D'Aranda,  I.  V.  L. 

*fbefe  adventures  were  written  alo<ve  150  years  ftgo> 

and  are  now  perhaps  unknown  in  the  literary  world*    t'n 

this  work  there  is  every   appearance   cf  candor,    find  the 

concurrence  of  various  circiimftcinces   corroborate   the  fn'~ 

'hn  of  its  truth*  \ 


CONTENTS. 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 


CHAP.    I. 

E  Phoenicians  and  Carthagenians  the  original  in- 
JL  habitants.  Deftruftion  of  Carthage.  Expulfioa  of 
the  Romans  by  the  Vandals.  Irruption  of  the  Saracens. 
Arab  princes  fubdued.  Zeneti  deftroyed.  Succeded  by 
the  SHarifFs  of  Hafcen.  In  danger  from  the  Spaniards, 
Barbaroffa  invited.  His  treachery  and  ciuelty.  Is  de- 
fsatsd  and  killed  by  the  Spaniards.  Page  13 

CHAP.    II. 

BarbarofTa  fucceeded  by  Hayradin,     Reduction  of  the 
Spanifh  fortrefs  in  front  of  the  city.     He  is  raifed  to  the 
dignity  of  Bafhaw  of  the  empire,  and  Haffan  Aga  is  ap 
pointed  ia  his  Head.     Charles  Vth's  expedition    againft 
Algiers.     The   city   in    great   confternation.      Singular 
prediction  of  a  mad  prophet  verified.     Spaniih  fleet  de- 
ttroyed  by  a  ftorm.     Siege  of  Algiers  raifed.     The  mad 
prophet  rewarded.     Haflan  reduces  Tremefen.     Bujeyah 
taken  from  the  Spaniards.    Haflan  Corfo  eleclcd  bafhaw. 
He  is  put  to  death,  and  fucceeded  by  Tekelli.     Hayra- 
din's  fon  Hainan   reinftated.     The   Spaniards   defeated. 
Siege  of  Marfalquiver.     Succeeded  by  Mahomet.     John 
Gafcon's  enterprife  and  death.     The  Algerines  become 
formidable  to  Europe.     Various   expeditions,     Become 
independent  of  the   Porte.     Defperate   undertaking   of 
four  brothers,  «  -  52 


S  CONTENTS. 

CHAP.     III. 

The  Algerines  fit  out  a  formidable  fleet,  which  is  to 
tally  deltrofed  by  the  Venetians.  Algiers  in  great  con» 
falion  at  the  news.  ^  The  Algerines  fit  out  a  new  fleet. 
A  Dutch  merchantman  defeats  a  number  of  their  galleys. 
Lewis  XIV.  makes  preparations  againft  Algiers.  The 
city  bombarded  and  fct  on  fire  by  the  French.  The 
Algerines  commit  great  ravagei  in  France.  Their  city 
again  bombarded,  fct  on  fire,  and  almoft  deftroyed. 
They  fue  for  peace.  Capt.  Beach  burns  feven  of  their 
ftips.  The  Turkifh  baihaw  expelled.  The  Spaniih  ex- 
pedition  of  1775.  *  51 

CHAP.    IV. 

Trie  Algerines  begin  their  depredations  upon  the  Af 
rican  commerce.  Captains  Stephens  and  O'Brien  taken* 
A  truce  with  Portugal,  Eleven  fail  of  Ameiicun  veiTels 
captured,  and  their  crews  made  Haves.  Their  treatment 
and  fuiferings.  Col.  Humphreys  and  Mr.  Donaidfon 
fent  to  treat  with  the  Algerines.  Mr.  Barlow  difpatched 
to  the  Barbary  dates.  Mr.  Donaidfon  concludes  a  treaty 
with  Algiers.  Captain  O'Brien  fent  with  225*000  dol 
lars  to  the  dey,  Captured  by  a  Tripolitan  corfair.  Re- 
leafed  and  and  arrives  at  Algiers.  Treats  with  Tripoli. 
The  Tunifian  territories  invaded.  The  American  pri- 
foners  releafed.  Defperate  engagement  between  an 
Algerine  corfair  and  two  Neapolitan  frigates.  Various 
occurrences.  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  j  67 

CHAP.    V. 
Algcrine  and  Tripolitan  treaties.  *  112 


i 


DESCRIPTION  OP  ALGIERS. 

CHAP.    I. 

TS  divifion  ;    rivers,  foil,  climate,  and   productions; 
animals;  antiquities  and  curidfities;  inhabitants,  cuf- 


CONTENTS,  *3 

tcrrs  and  manners;  drefs,  Irnguage,  corfairs  and  com 
merce  ;  revenue^  gcvcrrircnt,  }uniiLn:er.ts  zed  reli 
gion,  -  -  Fage  J29 

CHAP-     II. 

A  fliort  account  of  the  j  •••nrejpal  cities.  The  city  of 
ALGIERS.  Its  origin,  fituaticn,  hoiifei-,  water,  public 
buildings,  bagnios,  ftreets,  gates,  wails,  mole,  caftles, 
and  fortifications.  184 

CHAP.    III. 

Inhabitants,  cuftcms  and  manners  of  the  city  of  Al- 
-  20$ 


CHAR    IV. 
The  Slaves  of  Algiers. 

CHAP.    V. 

Particular  anecdotes,  occurrences  and  cccnlional  re* 
marks,  which  throw  feme  additional  light  upon  the  hif- 
tory,  cuftoms  and  manners  of  the  AJgerines.  2,55 

CHAP.    VI. 

Succincl  account  of  Algiers  in  the  time  of  Pinchin- 
in,  -  283 

CHAP.    VII. 

A  compendium  of  the  adventures  of  Emanuel  D'Aranda, 
containing  an  account  of  the  treatment  of  the  Algerine 
Haves  in  the  time  of  Pinchinin.  -  290 

g^r  The  plate  fronting  the  title  page  reprefents  the 
manner  of  punifhmcnt  by  baftinading  j  for  an  account 
of  which  fee  page  164, 


J?    R    R    A    <T  A. 

Page    222,  the  2Oth  line  from  the  top,   for  bear  read 

bare* 

Page  240,   the  i8th  line,  for  Turk  read  Txrltfi /M'ft* 
Page  243*  the  6th  line,  for  confncd  read  conjigncd. 
Page  285,  in  the  note,  for  about  84  aw/j  read  of  i  dollar 

3  cents  and  7  mills, 
Page  276)  i8th  line,  for  /£<?  read  bt> 


T    H     E 

HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 


C  H  A  P.     I. 

*T/Jt  Phcfn  ?,:'?>t"  and  Car ik a ven ians  the  Grhitia!  inhabitants* 

O  O 

Dejlrutiiou  of  Carthage.  Expuljion  of  the  Romans  by 
the  Van  da]}.  Irruption  of  the  Saracexs,  Aral  princes 
fitbdued.  T^eiicii  drfroyed.  Succeeded  ly  the  Sheriff's  of 
flafcen.  In  danger  from  the  Spaniards.  BarbarnjjG  lil~ 
<vhcd*  His  treachery  and  cruelly,  /j  defeated  and  Killtd 
by  the  Spaniards* 

r  1  ^  HERE  is  perhaps  no  problem  in  iiifiory  fo 
JL  fingular  and  unaccountable  as  the  decadence 
of  the  power  and  iplendor  of  the  extenfive  States  of 
Barbary  ;  which,  while  Carthage  w^s  \\\  the  meri 
dian  of  its  glory,  were  the  icat  of  unrivalled  great- 
neis,  and  anterior  to  Rome  iifeif  in  arts,  in  ickfice, 
in  rrjagniiiceiice  and  refinen  ent. 

1  he  original  inhabitants  of  this  country,  ac 
cording  to  the  moft  authentic  hiOorians,  were  the 
Phanecians,  and  after  them  the 


14  HISTORY    OV    ALGIERS 

formidable  rivals  of  the  Romans,  and  one  of  the 
molt  warlike  nations  of  antiquity.  The  beginning 
of  the  Carthagenian  liiilory,  like  that  of  all  other 
nations,  is  extremely  obfcure  and  uncertain,  in 
the  yihyear  of  Pygmalion  king  of  Tyre,  h's  fitter 
PJiza,  or  Dido,  is  laid  to  have  fled,  with  fome  of 
her  companions  and  valTils,  from  the  cruelty  and 
avarice  of  her  brother  Sichaeus. 

She  nrft  touched  at  the  iiland  of  Cyprus,  where 
[he  met  with  a  pried  of  Jupiter,  who  was  defirous 
of  attending  her  ;  to  which  (he  confented.  At  that 
time  it  was  a  cuftorn  in  the  iiland  of  Cyprus,  for  the 
young  women  to  go,  on  certain  dated  days  before 
marriage,  to  the  fea-lide,  and  there  to  look  for 
ftrangers,  that  might  poflibly  arrive  on  their  coafts, 
in  order  to  preftitute  themfelves  for  gain,  that  they 
might  thereby  acquire  a  dowry.  Out  of  thefe  wo 
men,  the  Tyrians  felecled  eighty,  whom  Taey  car 
ried  along  with  them,  and  then  failed  directly  for 
the  coat}  of  Africa  :  and  at  lall  fafely  landed  in  the 
province  called  Ajrica  Prof/ria,  not  far  from  Uti- 
ca,  a  Phoenician  city  of  great  antiquity.  The  com 
mon  fable  is,  that  the  Phcenecians  impofed  upon  the 
Africans  in  the  following  manner  :  They  defired 
for  lh:ir  intended  fettlernent,  only  as  much  ground 
as  an  ox's  hide  would  encompafs.  This  requeft  the 
Africans  laughed  at  ;  but  they  were  furprized 
when,  upon  granting  it,  they  faw  Eliza  cut  the  hide 
into  the  (mailed  (hreds,  by  which  means  it  fur- 
rounded  a  large  territory  ;  in  which  (he  built  the  ci 
tadel  called  Byrfa.  The  learned,  however,  ex 
plode  this  fable  ,*  but  it  is  certain  that  the  Cartha- 
genians  for  many  years  paid  an  annual  tribute  to  the 
Africans  for  the  ground  they  pofleiTed. 

From  this  period  commences  the  hirtory  of  the 
ihagenians,  one  of  the  rnoft  celebrated  nation*;  of 

antiquity, 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

uiity,  whole  armies  under  the  command  of 
Hannibal,  and  other  eminent  generals,  invaded  the 
Roman  tenitory,  and  threatened  the  dov.r.fal  ci 
Rome  itfelf.-  But  it  is  not  the  ckfign  of  the  piefent 
work  co  enter  into  a  detail  of  this  hiftory  •?  which 
would  foitt)  of  itfelf  a  large  and  interefiing  Volume. 
The  city  of  Cartilage,  by  order  of  the  Rocran 
Senate,  was  plundered  and  deOroycd  by  the  Roman 
army  under  /Einiiiantis.  Before  he  proceeded  to 
execute  their  order,  he  performed  thole  religious 
ceremonies  which  were  required  on  fuch  occahons. 
He  firft  facrificed  to  the  gods,  and  then  caufcJ  a 
plough  to  he  drawn  round  the  walls  of  the  city. 
After  this,  the  towers,  ramparts,  walls,  nnd  all  the 
works  which  the  C.irthagenians  had  railed  in  the 
c.purfe  of  many  ages,  were  levelled  with  the 
ground.  The  edifices  of  this  proud  metropolis 
were  fet  on  fire,  which  con  fumed'  them  all,  not  a 
fin  git:  hoiife  efcaping  the  (lames.  The  fire  began 
in  all  quarters  of  the  city  at  the  fame  time,  and 
continued  to  burn  with  incredible  fury  foi  the  fpace 
of  feventeen  days,  at  the  end  of  which  time  the 
whole  city  was  reduced  to  afhcs. 

Thus  fell  Carihage,  .about  146  yeats  before  the 
birth  of  Chrift.  The  treafure  carried  off  by  /F,n:i- 
jianus,  even  after  it  was  plundered  by  the  foldiers, 
according  to  the  computation  of  Pliny,  amounted 
to  4,470,000  pounds  weight  of  filvcr.  About 
twenty-four  years  after  this  event  C.  Gracchus  under 
took  to  rebuild  it.  Maxentius  laid  it  jn  allies  about 
the  fixth  or  feventh  year  of  ConOantine's  reign,  and 
Genferic,  king  of  the  Vandals,  took  it  in  the  year 
439  after  Chrift  ;  but  about  a  century  afterwards  it 
was  re-annexed  to  the  Roman  empire  by  the  renown 
ed  Belifarius.  At  laft  the  Saracens,  under  Ma 
homet's  fucceffors,  towards  the  clofe  of  \ he  feventh 

century, 


16  HIST\0;iV    OF    ALGIERS. 

century,  fo  completely  deftroyed  it,  that  tliere  are 
now  fcarce  any   ve(iiges  of  it  remaining. 

Afcer  th*  reduction  of  the  Carthagcniari  empire, 
the  Romans  for  a  long  time  maintained  their  power 
in  /Africa.  But  in  the  year  426,  Bonlfaciin  fupreme 
governor  of  all  the  Roman  dominions  in  this  quarter, 
being  compelled  to  revolt  by  the  treachery  of  another 
general  called  Aetius,  and  finding  himfelf  unable 
to  contend  with  the  whole  Orength  of  the  Roman 
empire,  invited  Genferic  king  of  th~  Vandals  to  his 
aid  ;  who  thereupon  abandoned  his  conqueils  in  Eu 
rope,  and  paiTed  over  into  Africa.  Bonifacius,  how 
ever,  ->on  after  reconciled  to  1m  -:la- 
cidia,  endeavoured  in  vain  to  p:riuade  the  Vandals  to 
retire.  Hereupon  awar  enfued,  in  which  the  barbari 
ans  proved  victorious,  and  quickly  over-ran  all  the  Ro 
man  provinces  in  Africa.  In  the  year  435,  a  peace  was 
concluded  ;  whereby  Numidia  and  iome  other  coun 
tries  were  ceded  to  the  Vandals,  who  foon  after  feized 
the  reft.  But  thefe  barbarians  did  not  long  enjoy 
their  conquers  :  for  about  the  year  535,  Belifarus, 
the  Greek  emperor  Juflinian's  general,  Jrove  them 
out,  and  annexed  the  provinces  to  the  eaitcrn  empire. 

In  the  year  647,  the  Saracens,  having  conquered 
Mefopotamia,  Egypt,  Phoenicia,  Arabia  and  Palef- 
tine,  broke  like  a  torrent  into  Africa,  which  they 
quickly  fubclued.  This  lall  revolution  happened 
about  the  middle  of  the  feverith  century  ;  and  the 
Arabs  continued  mailers  of  the  country  till 
the  year  lo^i.  This  -year,  one  Abubeker-ben- 
Omar,  or  as  the  Spaniards  call  hiai,  Abu-Tex- 
cfien,  an  Arab  of  the  Zinhagian  tribe,  being  pro 
voked  at  the  tyranny  of  thofe  defpots,  gathered,  by 
the  help  of  his  marabouts  or  faints,  a  mofl  power 
ful  army  of  malcontents,  in  the  fouthern  provinces  of 
Numidia  and  Lybia.  His  followers  were  nick 
named 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS.  17 

named  Marabites  or  Mor allies  ;  by  the  Spaniards 
Almorav-ides ;  probably  from  their  being  afiembled 
principally  by  the  faints,  who  were  alfo  called  Mo- 
rabites.  The  khalif  of  Keyem's  forces  were  at  this 
time  engaged  in  quelling  other  revolts  in  Syria, 
Mefopotamia,  &c.  and  the  Arabs  in  Spain  entered 
into  the  rrsoft  bloody  wars  ;  fo  that  Texefien  having 
nothing  to  fear  from  them,  had  all  the  fucceis  he 
could  wiia  againft  the  Arabian  cheyks  or  petty  ty 
rants,  whom  he  defeated  in  many  battles,  and  at 
la^t  drove  them  not  only  cut  of  Numidia  and  Ly- 
bii,  but  out  of  all  the  weftern  parts,  reducing  the 
whole  province  of  Tingitania  under  his  dominion. 

Texefien  was  fucceeded  by  his  fon  Yufef,  or  Jo- 
feph,  who  was  a  warlike  prince.  In  the  beginning 
of  his  reign  he  laid  the  foundation -of  the  city  of 
Morocco,  which  he  intended  as  the  capital  of  his 
empire.  During  the  building  of  this  city  he  lent 
an  embafTy  of  marabouts  to  Tremefen,  a  province 
of  Algiers,  for  the  purpofe  of  reftoring  the  Zeneti,  a 
Mahometan  feCt,  to  the  true  faith,  as  it  was  called. 
But  the  Zeneti  contemning  ail  overtures  of  this  na 
ture,  avfembled  at  Amaf,  or  Am  fa  their  capital, 
and  muHered  the  av^balTadors.  Not  content  with 
this  aft  of  outrage  and  infolence,  they  invaded  Jo- 
feph's  dominions  with  an  army  of  50,000  men. 

Jofeph  jufily  exafperated  at  thefe  proceedings, 
levied  an  army  with  all  poffiblc  expedition,  inva- 
d  ^d  their  territory,  and  deHroyed  all  before  him 
with  fire  and  fword.  The  Zeneti  inftead  of  repel 
ling  the  invafion,  retreated  towards  Fez,  where 
they  expected  ailiRance.  But  they  were  fatally  dif- 
appointed  in  this  expectation  ;  for  the  Fezzans 
nriiched  out  againft  them,  and  meeting  the  miic- 
rable  Zeneti,  encumbered  with  their  families  and 
.age,  and  ready  to  expire  with  hunger  and  fa- 
B  2  tiue 


j8  HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

tigue,  fell  upon  them  an  1  cut  them  all  to  pieces, 
except  a  few  who  were  either  drowned  in  their  at 
tempts  to  fwim  acrofs  a  river,  or  dafhed  to  pieces 
from  the  precipices  of  rocks  to  which  their  enemy 
had  purfued  them. 

In  the  mean  time  the  march  of  Jofeph's  army 
was  marked  by  havoc  and  defolation  ;  the  territory 
of  the  unhappy  Zeneti  was  deiblated  and  reduced 
to  a  heap  of  fmoking  ruins.  Their  country  was, 
however,  foon  after  re-peopled  by  numerous  immi 
grations  of  Fezzans,  who  formed  colonies  under 
the  protection  of  the  reigning  princes.  According 
to  the  mo  ft  authentic  accounts  it  appears,  that  nearly 
a  millon  of  men,  women  and  children,  of  the  Zetieti, 
loft  their  lives  in  this  murderous  campaign. 

Jofeph,  who  was  a  prince  of  reft  Ids  ambition, 
was  not  Long  difpofed  for  peace.  Fie  proclaimed 
war  again!)  the  Fezzans  whom  he  rendered  tribu- 
tory,  and  extended  his  conquefts  along  the  coafts 
of  the  Mediterranean.  His  next  attack  was  upon 
ibme  Arabian  cheyks,  whom  he  purfued  through 
the  Lybian  defa&s  with  fuch  fury,  that  neither  the 
clifts  of  the  moil:  craggy  rocks,  nor  fecret  recefles, 
afforded  them  fhelter  from  the  vengeance  of  their 
purfuers*  He  reduced  all  their  caftles  and  fortrefTes, 
which  till  then  were  deemed  impregnable,  and  the 
extent  of  his  conquefts  fpread  general  condernation 
and  grief  through  the  other  nations  of  Africa. 

Thus  was  the  empire  of  the  Morabites  founded  ; 
but  its  exiftance  was  of  fhort  duration  ;  for  they 
were  expelled  from  their  new  pofleffions  in  the  I2th 
century  by  Mohavedin  a  marabout-  This  race  of 
priefts  was  fubdued  by  Abdiilac,  governor  of  Fez, 
who  was  diverted  in  his  turn  of  his  new  conquefh, 
in  the  I3th  century,  by  the  Shariffs  of  Hafcen,  who 

were 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  19 

\vere  the  defcendants  of  tbofe  Arabian  princes 
whom  Abu-Texefien  had  formerly  conquered. 

The  SharifFs  divided  their  new  acquired  domi- 
ons  into  feveral  petty  provinces,  and  the  kingdom 
of  Algiers  was  divided  into  Tremefen,  Tenez, 
Algiers  Proper,  and  Bujeyah,for  their  greater  fecu- 
rity  againft  the  invafions  of  neighbouring  princes. 
The  four  firft  monarchs  laid  ib  folid  a  foundation  to 
their  empire,  by  a  judicious  balance  of  power,  that 
they  continued  in  mutual  peace  and  harmony  for 
feveral  fucceeding  centuries  ;  but  the  king  of  Tre 
mefen  having  violated  feme  articles  of  their  com 
pact,  Abul-Farez  declared  war  againft  him,  and  re 
duced  Tremefen  to  a  tributory  kingdom. 

Abul-Farez  did  not  long  furvivc  this  event.  His 
kingdom  was  divided  among  his  three  ions,  and  mu 
tual  difcord  and  animofity  was  the  confequence  of 
this  divifion.  Debilitated  by  thefe  commotions, 
they  became  an  eafy  ccnqueft  to  the  Spanifh  govern 
ment,  who  tranfported  a  powerful  fleet  and  army 
again!!  Barbary,  under  the  command  of  the  Count 
of  Navarre,  in  the  year  1505.  This  commander 
foon  completed  the  conqueft  of  Oran,  Bujeyah,  and 
other  important  cities,*  which  fpread  fuch  an  alarm 
among  the  Algerines,  that  they  invired  the  pro 
tection  of  Selim  Eutemi,  an  Arabian  prince  re 
nowned  for  the  prowefs  cf  his  arms.  He  came  to 
their  affiftance  with  a  large  army  of  his  moft  warlike 
fubje6ts,  attended  by  Zaphira  his  queen,  and  a  ion 
about  twelve  years  of  age.  This  force  was  not,  how 
ever,  fufficient  to  repel  the  incurfions  of  the  Spa 
niards;  they  effected  the  landing  of  an  army  the  fame 
year  near  the  city  of  Algiers,  and  compelled  the  me 
tropolis  to  become  tributory  to  Spain.  Nor  could  all 
the  powers  of  Eutemi  prevent  the  eilabliiliment  of  a 
formidable  Spanifh  garrifon  of  200  men  en  the  ilia  rid, 

in 


20  HISTORY  OF   ALGIERS. 

:n  front  of  the  city,  which  did  immenfe  damage  to 
the  coriairs  that  attempted  to  fail  either  in  or  out  of 
the  harbour. 

To  this  galling  yoke  the  Algennes  were  ob'iged  to 
fubmit,  and  they  continued  tributary  till  the  death 
of  Ferdinand  king  of  Spain,  which  happened  in  the 

year  ir,i6.  They  were  then  determined  to  fhake 
»  *j 

oiFtheir  Spaniih  yoke,  and  in  order  to  effectuate  this 
clefign,  they  lent  an .  embaffay  to  Aruch  BarbaroHa, 
to  foiicit  his  affiftance  againft  the  Spaniards,  and  pro- 
raifed  hirn  an  adequate  compilation  for  his  fervices* 
BarbarotTa,  fo  called  from  the  red  colour  of  his 
beard,  was  the  ion  of  a  potter  in  the  ifle  of  Le/bos, 
being  prompted  by  a  reiliefs  and  enterprifmg  fpirit, 
he  and  his  brother  Hayradin  forfook  their  father, 
and  joined  a  crew  of  pirates.  In  this  new  profeffion 
they  foon  diftinguithed  themfelves  by  their  a6tl- 
vity  and  provvefs  ;  they  became  matters  of  a  fniail- 
brigantine,  and  conducted  their  piracies  with  fuch  • 
fuccefs,  that  they  icon  affembied  a  fleet  of  twelve 
galleys,  be(ides  many  veiFels  of  fmalicr  force.  Bar- 
bjroffa  was  admiral  of  this  fleet,  and  Hayradin  fe- 
cond  in  command.  Tlieir  names  foon  became  teni- 
ble  from  the  Straits  of  the  Dardanelles  to  thofe  of  Gi 
braltar.  Their  ambitious  views  extended  with  their 
power:  being  no  lefs  dreaded  for  their  valour  than 
their  furpnfing  fuccefs,  and.,  while  adling  as  cor 
iairs,  they  a  (Turned  the  idear.,  and  acquired  the  ta 
lents  of  conquerors.  They  often  carried  the  prizes 
they  had  taken  on  the  coafts  of  Spain  and  Italy, 
into  the  ports  of  Barbary.  The  convenient  fitua- 
tion  of  thefe  harbours,  lying  io  near  the  great  com 
mercial  Rates  of  Chriitendom,  prompted  them  to 
the  defire  of  clicking  an  cftablilhment  in  the  country 
of  Barbary.  An  opportunity  of  accompliihing  this 

project 


HISTORY    OF   ALGIERS.  21 

'  projecl   foon  preferred  itfelf,  and  they  did    not  fuf- 
icr   it  to  pafs  unimproved. 

Barbatroffa  received  the  Algerine  embafly  at  Hi- 
gir,  about  170  miles  to  the  call  ward  of  Algiers.  He 
promifed  them  every  afiiOance  in  his  power,  and  fe- 
cretly  exulted  info  favourable  an  opportunity  of  ren 
dering  himfelf  mailer  of  their  city*  To  carry  his  de- 
ligns  into  execution,  he  fitted  out  a  fleet  of  18  gal- 
lev  s,  on  board  of  which  was  embarked  a  powerful 
Turkifh  army,  with  a  fine  train  of  ^rtiilery,  and  am 
ply  provided  with  military  {(ores,  and  difpatched 
the 01  to  the  ciiv  of  Algiers. 

BarbarofFa  in  the  mean  tfrre  advanced  toward 
the  city  by  land,  with  an  army  of  800  Turks,  3000 
Jigelltes,  and  2000  Moorifh  volunteers.  But  inOead 
of  taking  the  neareft  roarl  to  Algiers,  he  direcled  his 
courfe  towards  Sharfkel,  (about  60  miles  we  A  of 
Algiers),  where  Hailan,  another  famous  corfair  un 
der  his  command,  had  fettled  himfelf;  and  dif 
patched  a  meQenger  to  his  fleet,  which  by  this  time 
had  anchored  at  Algiers,  v/ith  orders  to  repair  im 
mediately  to  Sharfhei.  His  defign  by  this  rrarch 
was  to  punKh  the  treachery  of  IiaGan,  who  had  fe- 
duced  a  confiderable  part  of  the  fleet  Rationed  there 
into  hisfervice,  and  was  upon  the  point  of  making 
a  defcent  upon  the  Spanifh  coaft.  But  he  was  much 
afioniihed  when  he  found  BaibarolTa  was  io  near,  and 
inftantly  prepared  to  oppofe  the  approach  cf  his 
army  ;  but  diicovering  the  inefficiency  of  the  force 
he  had  raifed,  lie  deemed  it  moft  prudent  to  adjull 
all  differences  by  an  amicable  comprornife,  and  af 
ter  he  had  received  a  promife  of  pardon  from  his 
commander,  furrendered  himfelf  a  priioner.  Bar- 
ba  o(Fa,  however,  felt  little  difpofed  to  pardon  the 
offence,  and,  by  his  command,  HaiTan  was  execu 
ted  in  the  prefence  of  the  Turkiih  army. 

After 


22  HISTORY  OF   ALGIERS. 

After  thefe  events,  lie  compelled  the  people  oi 
Shardiel  to  acknowledge  him  as  their  fovereigrij  and 
^anifoned  a  detachment  of  his  army  in  that  place 
for  the  fecurityof  his  conqueft.  His  army  and  licet 
then  directed  their  comic  towards  Algiers.  On  the 
approach  of  his  army  he  was  met  by  Selim  Euterni, 
then  regent  of  Algiers,  attended  by  an  irmnenfc 
concourfe  of  people  from  the  city,  who  welcomed 
this  celebrated  conqueror,  whom  they  deemed  in 
vincible,  with  every,  demonftration  of  joy.,  lie 
wis  conducted  into  the  city  amidft  the  acclamations 
or  ihe  people,  and  lodged  in  one  of  the  nobleit 
apartments  of  Eutemi's  palace,  where  a  mod  fump- 
tuotis  banquet  was  prepared  for  his  entertainment. 

Elated  beyond  meafure  with  the  great  marksof  dif- 
tindlion  which  were  conferred  upon  him,  heconceived 
the  deOgn  of  becoming  king  of  Algiers*  The  day 
after  his  arrival  he  commenced  his  arrangements  for 
the  reduction  of  the  Spaniards,  who  had  been  fo 
long  obnoxious  to  the  Algerines.  He  ordeied  an 
entrenchment  to  be  formed,  and  a  battery  raifed 
againft  a  Spaniili  fortrefs  Rationed  upon  a  fmall  iiland 
in  the  iiarbour,  about  500  yards  from  the  city.  Be 
fore  the  commencement  of  the  intended  fiege  of  the 
iiland,  he  difpatched  a  courier  to  the  Spanim  garri- 
fon,  to  inform  them,  that  upon  condition  they  would 
furrender  the  fortrefs  they  (hould  be  well  treated 
and  fent  to  Spain  ;  but  if  not,  they  {hould  all  be 
put  to  death.  The  commander  of  the  garrifon  re- 
jelled  all  overtures  of  capitulation,  and  returned 
for  anfwer,  that  he  would  hold  out  till  the  very  laft 
extremity. 

Incenfed  at  this  anfwer,  Barbaroffa  commenced 
a  brifk  cannonade  of  the  ifland,  which  was  kept  up, 
with  little  intermiffion,  for  twenty  days;  but  his 

ordnance, 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS,  23 

fcrJrnncc,    confiding   only   of    fmali    field   pieces, 
made  but  little  impreffion  upon  the  garriibn. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  greater  part  of  Barbaroffa's 
army  were  rioting  in  every  fpecies  of  excefs,  and  in 
their  intercourfe  with  the  citizens,  committed  every 
aC\of  violence  and  atrocity'.  The  Algerineswere  foon 
roufed  to  a  fenie  of  their  danger,  and  Seiim  Eutemi, 
greatly  exafperated  at  the  outrages  of  the  Turks, 
entreated  Barbaroffa  to  withdraw  his  army  from  the 
city.  But  his  fole  view  now  was  the  conquefl  of 
the  city,  and  the  more  effectually  to  accomplish  his 
projc£V,  he  refolved  to  murder  Eutemi  in  a  private 
manner,  and  to  proclaim  himfelf  king  of  Algiers. 

In  order  to  execute  his  defign,  he  flole  into  a 
fmall  apartment  where  Eutsmi  had  one  day  retired 
for  the  purpofe  of  bathing,  and  finding  the  prince 
alone,  he  fuddenly  feized  him  and  (irangled  him 
to  death.  When  he  had  perpetrated  this  atrocious 
acl:,  he  fecretly  withdrew,  and  left  the  prince  float 
ing  in  the  water.  Returning  (hortly  after  with 
his  attendants,  to  the  bath,  he  affecled  great  afto- 
nifhment  at  the  death  of  Eutemi,  who,  he  alleged, 
had  been  drowned  in  a  fwoon. 

His  death  was,  however,  generally  imputed  to 
the  cruelty  of  Barbaroffa,  and  the  citizens,  who 
were  panic  ftruck  at  this  event,  feemed  more  anx 
ious  to  fcreen  themfelves  from  oppreffion,  than  to 
avenge  the  death  of  their  fovereign. 

Barbaroffa  nowcaufed  himfelf  to  be  publicly  pro 
claimed  king  ;  and,  as  he  rode  along  the  ftreetg, 
his  Turks  and  Moors  exclaimed,  "  Long  live  king 
Aruch  Barbaroffa,  the  invincible  king  of  Algiers, 
the  chofen  of  God  to  deliver  the  people  from  the 
oppreffion  of  the  Chriftians;  and  deftru&ion  to  all 
that  (hall  oppofe,  or  refufe  to  own  him  as  their 
J*«.r'.«!  fovereign."  Thefe  laft  threatening  words 

fo 


24  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS 

fo  intimidated  the  inhabitants,  already  apprehenfive 
of  a  general  maifacre,  that  he  was  immediately  ao 
knowiedged  king;  and  he  iumrnonedall  theweahhi- 
eit  partofthecitizcnsbeforehim,towhomhepimnifed 
honors  and  promotion  if  they  would  acquie/ce  in  his 
fovereigniy.  The  unhappy  princeis  Zaphira  made 
an  unfuccefsful  attempt  to  (lab  him  with  a  dagger  ; 
but  not  fucceeding,  it  is  faid  ihe  poilone^l  herfeif,  to 
avoid  the  brutality  of  her  new  ibvereign. 

BarbaroiFa  was  no  fooner  icated  on  the  throne, 
than  he  treated  his  new  fubjedts  with  fuch  cruelty, 
that  they  uied  to  iliut  up  their  houies,  and  hide 
theoifeives,  when  he  appeared  in  public.  The 
Turks  finding  themfelves  complete  matters  of  the 
town,  indulged  themfelves  in  every  fpeeics  of  vio 
lence  and  rapacity.  Their  enormities  commenced 
with  infuiting  language,  and  the  fcene  terminated 
in  public  plunder,  murder,  and  the  violation  of 
women. 

Jn  this  extremity  of  in  full  and  mifery,  the  citi 
zens  held  a  fecret  correfpondence  with  the  gover 
nor  of  the  Spa  null  garrifon  ;  in  which  they  inform 
ed  him  that  a  plot  was  laid  to  maiLcre  the  whole 
Turkiili  army,  Iblicited  his  affiftance,  and  promif- 
ed,  in  confequence,  to  become  again  tributory  to 
the  king  of  Spain. 

The  commander  readily  acceded  to  their  wifhes, 
and  the  following  plan  was  deviled.  A  conlidera- 
ble  number  of  Moors,  with  daggers  concealed  un 
der  their  clothes,  were  to  enter  the  city  for  the 
purpofe  of  trading  ;  at  the  fame  time  a  number  of 
galliots  without  the  town  were  to  be  fet  on  lire  ; 
and  while  the  Turks  were  gone  to  extinguiih  the 
flames  the  gates  of  the  city  were  to  be  iliuf  upon 
them,  and  the  Spaniards  to  be  inOantly  landed  froai 
ihe  garriior*  to  aiM  the  citizens.  But  the  vigilancr 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS,  25 

cf  Barbarciia  difccvered  the  confpiracy  ;  in  confc- 
quence  of  which,  he  ftrongly  fortified  the  town, 
augmented  his  guards  hoth  in  the  galliots  and  at 
the  city-gates,  and  thus  totally  fruft  rated  this  deep 
laid  fcheme. 

The  moll  tragical  events  fucceeded  this  di (cove ry. 
For  though  Barbarolia  had  detected  the  corifpircy, 
yet  he  pretended  he  had  notdifcovered  the  principals; 
and  one  Friday  (which  is  the  Mahometan  Sunday)  he 
paid  a  vifrt  to  the  grand  Mofque  in  the  city,  where  the 
chief  part  of  the  confpirators  had  convened.  An 
uncommon  corjcourfe  of  people  ailembled,  and  a- 
Tnong  the  crowd  the  tyrant  had  ordered  a  number 
of  his  Turks  to  be  Hationed,  The  moment  their  re 
ligious  ceremonies  commenced,  Barbaroila  ordered 
the  doors  cf  the  Mofque  to  be  (hut,  and  the  whole 
congregation  to  be  made  prifoners:  out  of  whom  he 
ielecled  twenty  of  the  principal  leadersof  the  faclion, 
whom  he  conceived  to  be  the  moil  obnoxious,  and  by 
his  orders  they  were  inflantly  led  into  the  fleets  and 
there  beheaded.  After  the  execution  of  this  atrocious 
order  their  bodies  were  expofed  naked  to  public  view, 
and  their  heads  rolled  about  the  city  for  feveral  days, 
till  at  length  becoming  oirenfive,  they  were  buried 
in  a  dunghill.  This  event  took  place  in  the  year 

frS1?-; 

While  thefe  things  where  tranfatting  Seiim  Eute- 
rni's  fon,  apprehenfive  of  danger,  fled  to  Oran,  where 
he  put  himlelf  under  the  protection  of  the  marquis 
of  Gomarez,  general  of  that  place,  and  laid  before  that 
nobleman  a  plan  for  putting  the  city  cf  Algiers  into 
the  hands  of  the  king  of  Spain.  Gornarez  approv 
ed  of  the  phn,and  fent  young  SelimEutemi  to  Spain, 
where  he  laid  his  fcheme  before  Cardinal  Francifco 
Ximenes  and  the  councilsof  Spain,  who  likewise  ap 
proved  of  it,  and  fent  a  fleet  with  io,coo!and  forces, 
C  under 


26  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

under  the  eoinmand  of  young  Selim  and  Don  Diege 
de\rera,to  reftore  the  young  prince  to  his  kingdom* 
But  deplorable  was  the  fate  of  this  army;  for  they 
were  no  fooner  coinc  within  fight  of  land,  than  a 
tempeft  arofe,  which  raged  wilh  iuch  violence  that 
,  the  whole  fleet  was  involved  in  deftruclion  ;  many 
veffels  ran  foul  of  each  other;  fome  were  fwal  lowed 
up  by  the  ocean,  and  others  dafhed  to  pieces  againft 
the  rocks.  Young  Selim  and  Ximenes  were  never 
heard  of  again  ;  and  th  s  was  the  greateft  part  of 
this  army  deftroyed  ;  thofe  who  efcaped  the  vio- 
Jence  of  the  elements  were  either  muidered  by  the 
Turks,  or  fubjected  to  the  moit  rnifeiable  ilavery. 

The  pride  of  Barbaroffa  was  greatly  elated  at 
this  difafter,  and  though  he  had  nothing  to  boaft  on 
this  occafion,  yet  his  vanity  and  infdlence  were  now 
fwelled  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  he  imagined  himielf 
invincible,  and  fancied  that  the  very  elements  had 
confpired  to  render  him  fo.  By  this  misfortune  all 
hopes  were  loft  ©f  expelling  Barbaroffa,  and  re- 
ftoring  the  heirs  of  Selim  to  the  regency  of  Algiers. 

Barbaroffa's  tyranny  became  at  length  fo  infup- 
portable,  that  the  Arabians,  who  inhabited  the  low 
er  parts  of  the  country,  implored  the  afiiftance  of 
liamidel  Abdes  king  of  Tenez  to  drive  the  Turks 
out  of  Algiers.  That  prince  undertook  to  grant 
them  all  the  aid  in  his  power,  upon  condition  that 
the  Arabians  would  agree  to  fettle  the  kingdom  on 
himfelf  and  his  defcendants. 

This  propofal  was  readily  accepted,  and  Hami- 
del  Abdes  immediately  fet  out  at  the  head  of  an  ar 
my  of  10.000  Moors.  He  began  his  march  in  June 
1517,  and,  upon  his  entering  the  Algerine  domi 
nions,  was  joined  by  all  the  Arabians  in  the  coun 
try,  who  openly  avowed  thernfelves  the  enemies  of 
tfbe  tyrafttf  Barbaroffa,  gaining  intelligence  of  the 

approach 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  27 

approach  of  Hamidel  Abdes,  raifed  an  army  of 
iooo  Turkifli  mufqueteers,  and  500  Granada 
Moors,  and  configning  the  government  of  Algiers 
to  the  care  of  his  brother  Hayradin,  came  out  with 
this  inconfiderable  force  to  meet  Hamidel  Ab 
des.  After  a  march  of  about  twelve  leagues  to 
the  weftward  of  Algiers,  Barbarofla  came  up 
with  him,  and  a  defperate  engagement  commen 
ced.  Victory  was  for  fome  time  dubious,  and  the 
mod  horrible  carnage  enfued.  But  the  Turks,  be 
ing  difciplined  to  the  ufe  of  fire  arms,  difplayed 
gre.it  fuperiority,  and  the  enemy  having  only  ar 
rows  and  javelins,  began  to  give  way.  Their  nu 
merous  army  was  totally  defeated,  and  Barbaroda 
purfued  them  to  the  gates  of  their  capital  ;  of 
which  he  eafily  made  hirnfeif  mailer.  Hamidel 
Abdes  dill  retreated  towards  mount  Atlas,  and  the 
unfortunate  city,  without  the  leaft  refinance,  fell  a 
victim  to  every  fpecies  of  violence  and  brutality, 
and  BarbafoCfa* was  proclaimed  king. 

The  fame  of  this  decifi ve  viftory  was  foon  fpread 
ever  ail  Africa,  and  no  fooner  had  BarbaroiTa  be 
come  mafter  of  Tenez,  than  he  received  an  ernbaify 
from  the  inhabitants  of  Tremcfen,  (about  50  leagues 
weftward), who  were  difFatisfied  with  the  adminiftra- 
tion  of  their  king,  principally  on  account  of  his 
having  dethroned  his  nephew;  whom  he  obliged  to 
fly  to  Gran  j  and  they  offered  to  inveft  Barbarofla 
even  with  the  fovereignty,  in  cafe  he  accepted  their 
propofal.  An  application  of  this  nature,  as  may 
well  be  imagined,  was  highly  pleafing  to  him,  and 
he  was  determined  not  to  lofe  fo  favourable  an  op 
portunity  of  extending  his  conqueirs.  In  confe- 
quence  of  this  ernbaflay  he  wrote  to  his  brother 
Hayradin  to  fend  him  forward  fome  pieces  of  ar 
tillery  and  military  (lores  ;  and  upon  the  receipt 

of 


2o  HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS- 

ei~  tliefe  articles  he  fet  out  for  Tremefen,  having 
coiiiigned  the  command  of  Tenez  to  his  third  bro 
ther  ffaac  Benijoub. 

The  king  of  Tremefen,  not  fufpe&ing  the 
treachery  of  his  fuhjecls,  railed  an  army  of  6000 
horfe  and  3000  foot,  and  met  the  tyrant  in  the 
plains  of  Aganel  in  advance  of  the  city,  where  a 
bloodyatKon  tookplace;  in  which  the  king,  unable 
to  ftancl  before  Barbaroila's  artillery,  was  totally 
routed,  and  fled  with  the  remains  of  his  army  to  the 
capital,  where  he  was  taken  priibnerand  beheaded 
by  his  f ub j eft 3.  After  which  they  fent  ambafTadors 
with  his  head  to  Barbaroila,  and  ordered  them  to 
deliver  the  keys  of  the  ci?y  into  the  hands  of  the 
conqueror. 

Two  days  after,  he  made  a  triumphal  entry  into 
Xrcmefcn,  amidit  the  acclamations  of  a  multitude 
of  citizens,  who  met  him,  and  treated  him  with 
every  mark  of  attention.  As  foon  as  he  was  in 
poffeilion  of  the  city,  he  began  to  tyrannize  as 
uflial ;  but  his  new  fubjecls  loon  convinced  him 
they  were  not  fo  pailive  as  the  citizens  of  Algiers. 
Sufpicious  cf  oppofition  to  his  adminiftration  in  the 
government  of  Tremefen,  and  apprchenfive  of  a 
precarious  reign  in  confequence  of  his  enormities, 
he  entered  into  an  alliance  with  Muley  Harriet  king 
of  Fez,  each  ftipulating  to  render  each  other  mutual 
ailidance  againft  their  enemies.  After  which  he 
took  care,  for  the  purpofe  of  greater  iecurity,  to 
garriibn  Tremefen  with  troops,  as  well  as  the  reft  of 
the  cities  in  his  kingdom,  fome  of  thefe,  however, 
ibon  after  revolted  ;  upon  which  he  lent  one  of  his 
corfairs,  named  Efcander,  no  lefs  ferocious  than  him- 
felf,  to  reduce  them.  Ifaac  Benijoub  in  particular, 
the  commander  of  Tenez,  became  extremely  ob- 
noxIouG  in  his  administration  ;  which  induced  a  ge 
neral 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  29 

neral  revolt  among  the  Moors  of  the  country,  and  he 
fell  a  vidim  to  their  fury. 

The  Tremefenians  foon  repented  fincerely  that 
they  had  courted  the  affiftance  of  fuch  a  tyrant ;  and 
held  confutations  on  the  moft  effectual  means  of 
expelling  him  from  their  city,  and  reftoring  Abu- 
chen  Men, their  lawful  prince.  But  their  cabals  were 
foon  difcovered,  and  a  great  number  of  the  confpi- 
ratorswere  maflacred  in  the  moft  cruel  manner. 

Abuchen  Men,  who  had  fortunately  efcaped  to 
Oran,  was  taken  under  the  protection  of  the  mar 
quis  of  Gomarez,  who  fent  immediate  advice  of  it 
to  Charles  V.  then  lately  arrived  in  Spain,  with  a 
powerful  fleet  and  army,  and  gave  him  a  particular 
account  of  the  tranfaCtions  that  had  taken  place  in 
Africa.  Charles  immediately  crckied  an  army  of 
10,000  men  to  be  railed  and  put  under  the  command 
of  Gomarez,and  the  guidance  of  Abuchen  Men  ;  who 
began  their  march  towards  Tremefen  ;  and  in  their 
way  were  joined  by  prince  Selim  with  a  great  num 
ber  of  Arabs  and  Moors.  Their  fir  ft  refolve  was  to 
attack  the  important  fortrefs  of  Calau,  fituated  be 
tween- Tremefen  and  Algiers,  and  commanded  by 
the  corfair  Efcandcr,  at  the  head  of  about  300 
Turks.  They  inveflccl  it  clofelyon  all  fides,  with  a 
clefign  to  decoy  Barbarofia  from  Tremefen  to  its  re 
lief,  and  to  afford  the  Trernefeinaiis  an  opportunity 
of  (hutting  their  gates  againft  him*  But  the  tyrant 
kept  clofe  lodged  in  his  capital,  embarrafied  by  the 
fears  of  a  general  revolt,  and  the  dangerous  delays 
of  the  king  of  Fez,  who  had  neglected  to  fend  for 
ward  the  auxiliaries  he  hid  promifed.  The  garrifon 
of  Calau  in  the  mean  time  made  a .vigorois  defence, 
and  in  a  fortie  they  made  in  the  night  killed  300 
Spaniards.  This  encouraged  them  to  make  a  fceond 
iuiiy;  but  they  were  repulfed  with  great  lofs,  and 
C  <i  Efcander 


30  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

Efcander  himfelf  was  wounded.  The  garrifon  un 
able  to  hold  out  any  longer, capitulated  upon  honor 
able  terms;  but  they  were  all  maflacred  by  the 
Arabians  except  fixteen,  who  clung  clofe  to  the 
ftirrtips  of  the  king  and  the  Spaniih  general 

After  the  reduction  of  this  fortrefs  they  began 
their  march  to  lay  fiege  to  Tremefen.  Barbarofia. 
receiving  intelligence  of  their  approach,  was  deter 
mined  to  wait  no  longer  for  reinforcements  from 
the  king  of  Fez,  and  came  out  of  his  capital  with  a 
troop  of  1500  Turks  and  5000  Moorifh  horfe,  to  op- 
pofe  the  progrcfs  of  the  Spaniards,  But  gaining  in 
telligence  of  the  fuperiority  of  their  force,  his  coun 
cils  advifed  him  to  return  and  fortify  himfelf  in  his 
capital.  This  advice  however  came  too  late.  The 
inhabitants  of  Tremefen  had  (but  their  gates  againfl 
him,  and  were  refolved  to  open  them  only  to  theiV 
lawful  fovereign,when  he  appeared.  In  this  extrem 
ity  he  deemed  it  moft  prudent  to  retire  to  the  citadel, 
and  defend  himfelf  there  till  he  could  find  an  oppor 
tunity  of  dealing  away  with  his  men  and  treafure. 
Here  he  made  a  vigorous  defence,  but  his  pro- 
vifions  failing,  he  effected  his  efcape  by  night 
through  a  fubterraneous  paffage,  which  he  had 
caufed  to  be  dug  for  that  purpofe,  and  carried  off 
all  his  irnmenfe  treafures  with  him.  But  his  flight 
was  foon  diicovered,  and  Gomarez  ordered  an  im 
mediate  purfuif.  BarharofTa  finding  himfeif  fo 
clofely  purfued,  caufed  a  confiderable  quantity  of 
money,  plate,  jewels,  &c.  to  be  fcattcred  along 
the  rout  he  had  taken,  in  order  fo  amufe  the  enemy, 
and  to  retard  their  purfuit  in  gathering  it  up,  while 
he  effected  the  paiTage  of  the  river  Huexda~,  But 
this  ftratagem,  through  the  vigilance  of  the  Spanifli 
commander,  did  not  fucceed ;  for  Gomarez,  order 
ed  hij  men  to  march  on,  without  waiting  to  gather 

up 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  51 

up  the  fpoils,  and  they  foon  overtook  the  fugitive 
on  the  banks  of  the  river,  about  eight  leagues  from 
Tremefen*  Barbarofla  had  juft  crofted  the  river 
with  his  vanguard;  and  the  Spaniih  army  furioufly 
attacked  his  rear  on  the  other  fide,  and  cut  them  all 
to  pieces.  Gomarez  then  crofTcd  the  river,  and  a 
bloody  engagement  enfued,  in  which  his  Turks 
fought  with  the  greater!  fury.  But  being  overpow 
ered  by  numbers,  the  tyrant  fell,  and  1500  Turks 
were  left  dead  upon  the  field  of  battle. 

Thus  terminated  the  career  of  this  powerful  ty- 
•  rant,  who  died  in  the  year  1519,  in  the  44th  year 
of  his  age  ;  four  years  after  he  had  afpired  to  the 
royal  title  of  Jigd  of  the  adjacent  country  ;  two 
years  after  he  had  afiurned  the  fovereignty  of  Al 
giers  ;  a  twelvemonth  after  the  reduction  of  Tre- 
mefen  ;  and  after  he  had  infefted  the  feas  'arid 
fpread  havoc  and  defolation  through  the  country 
of  Barbary  for  the  fpace  of  fourteen  years. 

After  this  important  viftcry  Gomarez  returned 
in  triumph  to  Tremefen,  amidft  the  fhouts  of  the 
multitude,  who  came  out  to  meet  him,  with  the 
head  of  BarbarofTa  carried  upon  the  point  of  a  fpear ; 
and  Abuchen  Men  was  proclaimed  king,  to  the 
great  joy  of  all  the  inhabitants. 

About  fourteen  days  after  the  battle,  the  king 
of  Fez  made  his  appearance  at  the  head  of  20,000 
Moorifh  horfe  ;  but  hearing  of  BaibarodVs  defeat, 
he  retired  with  all  poffible  expedition,  to  avoid  an 
attack  from  the  enemy.  Gomarez  foon  after  de 
parted  from  Ticmefen,  and  returned  to  Oran, 
leaving  Abucheu  Men  in  peaceable  poffefllon  of 
kis  kingdom. 


CHAP. 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS, 


CHAP..    II. 

JSarbaroJJ'a  fucceeded  by  Hay  radix.  P^e  duel  ion  of  the  Spa- 
nift>  fortrefs  in  front  of  the  city*  He  is  raifed  to  the 
dignity  of  bajha*vy  of  the  cmpir:>  and  Haffan  Aga  is  ap» 
pointed  in  his  ftead*  Chr.rhs  Vth's  expedition  againjl 
Algiers.  ^The  city  in  great  wtifternation*  Singular  pre- 
difiion  of  a  mad  prsphct  ^verified.  Spanijb  fleet  deftrqyed 
by  a  ftorm.  Siege  of  Algiers  raifed.  The  mad  frofket 
rewarded.  HajTan  reduces  ^Treytefen*  Eujeyah  taken 

from  the  Spaniards.  Hajfan  Ccrfo  tie  tied  bafbaiui  He 
is  put  to  death  y  and  jucceedcd  by  Teh  el!:.  Hay  radios 

f-i  H.-jr,™  rehfiatfd.  T'be  Spa:»arJs  deflated.  Siegs 
of  Marjalqui<ver.  Succeeded  by  Mahomtt*  J&sn  Gaf- 
cons  enter  prif?  and  death.  'The  Algerixcs  become  formi 
dable  to  Europe.  Various  expeditions.  Become  ixdepeti- 
dent  of  the  Porte.  Defpsrale  undertaking  of  four  brother:  ^ 


news  of  Barbaroffd's  death  fpread  the  utr 
-*-  coniternation  among  the  Turks  at  Algiers  ;  and 
his  brother  Hayradin  was  immetl  lately  proclaimed 
king.  Th~  Spanifh  comma  id  er  very  imprudently 
negleil^d  to  follow  up  his  viclori.es  at  this  aufpicious 
juncture,  and  font  back  th«  emperor's  forces  without 
attempting  the  reduction  of  Algiers.  Hayradin  in  hig 
prefent  critical  firuation,  apprehenfivi?  of  a  Spanilh 
invafion,and  dreading  the  confequ-^ncesof  his  tyrany 
and  that  of  his  officers,  lent  an  emfcufly.  to  iblicit  the 
protection  of  the  Grand  Signior;  which  was  rea 
dily  granted.  Me  was  appointed  Bailiaw  or  Viceroy 
of  Algiers,  and  received  iuch,  considerable  rein 

forcements. 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  33 

forccments  as  completely  effected  the  fubjugation  of 
the  unhappy  Algerines,  who  durft  not  make  the 
lead  refinance  cr  complaint.  In  ccnfequence  of 
theie  reinforcements,  his  armies  were  further  aug 
mented  by  fuch  numbers  of  Turks  that  continually 
reforted  to  him,  that  he  was  enabled  not  only  to 
keep  the  Moors  and  Arabs  in  fubjedlion  at  home, 
but  to  annoy  the  Christians  at  lea. 

His  next  ftep  was  the  reduction  of  the  Spanifh 
fortrefs  in  front  of  the  city,  which  was  a  great  nuif- 
ance  to  the  metropolis,  and  of  which  the  Spaniards 
held  pofl'effion  till  the  year  1530.  His  galleys 
were,  in  confequcnce,  always-  obliged  to  anchor 
near  the  gate  of  Babazcn,  out  of  the  rezch  of  their 
cannon,  where  they  were  continually  expofed  to 
the  danger  of  tempefts.  He  was  therefore  deter- 
rained  to  reduce  it,  and  his  firft  attempt  was  by  ftrn- 
tageui.  Having  made  choice  of  two  Moorlfn  L\£z9 
and  given  them  inftru&ions  how  to  act,  he  ic' :t 
them  to  the  fort,  where  they  requefled  permlilicn 
to  eater,  declaring  that  they  were  clefirous  of  em 
bracing  the  Chrifiian  religion,  and  refiding  with 
the  Spaniards.  The  lads  were  received  and  treat 
ed  with  great  kindnefs;  and  one  Rafter  Sunday, 
while  Martin  de  Vargas,  the  commander,  and  his 
men  were  at  church,  thefe  lads  afcended  a  tower 
that  commanded  a  profpecl:  of  the  city,  from  whence 
they  waved  a  flag,  as  a  fignai,  that  the  Spaniards 
were  off  their  guard.  The  flag  being  obferved  by 
the  commander's  feivantmaid,  fhe  ran  immediately 
and  acquainted  her  mafter  with  the  circuroftance. 
Vargas  and  his  men  repaired  to  the  tower  infianlly, 
where  they  fcized  the  lads,  and  prepared  to  oppofe 
the  landing  of  the  enemy.  Hayradin  finding  his 
plan  had  rnifcarried,  clefifled  from  his  dcfign  ;  and 
wh?ii  the  alarm  had  fubfided,  the  two  lads  were 
*  brought 


3f  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

brought  out,  and  at  the  command  of  Vargas,  were 
both  hanged  upon  an  eminence  in  fight  of  the  cityv 
Hayradin  was  greatly  exafperated  at  the  fight,  and 
was  refolved  upon  the  immediate  reduction  of  tha 
fort.  Whereupon  he  difpatched  a  renegado  to  the  fort 
to  acquaint  Vargas,  that  if  he  would  deliver  up  the 
garriion,  he  and  his  men  fhould  be  well  treated^, 
and  fent  to  Spain  ;  but  if  not,  they  (ho.uld  all  be 
put  to  death.  Vargas  returned  for  anfwer,,that  he 
would  hold  out  to  the  lad  extremity.  Haraydin  up 
on  the  receipt  of  this  anfwer,  raifed  a  formidable 
battery, and  commenced  a  vigorous  cannonade  upon; 
the  iiland,  which  continued  for  fifteen  days  and 
nights  without  intermifTion  ;  at  the  end  of  which 
time  alrnoft  ail  the  walls  of  the  garri Ion  were  bat 
tered  down,  and  the  grcatefl  part  of  the  befieged 
were  killed.  Hayradin  now  ordered  a  defcent  to 
be  made  upon  the  iiland,  which  was  effected  with 
out  oppofition,  and  the  whole  garrifon  'were  made 
prifoners.  Vargis  fuftjred  imprilonment  for  about 
three  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  or 
dered  into  the  prefence  of  Hayradin,  and  bafUna- 
doed  to  death. 

After  this  event  he  fet  about  building,  a  ftrong 
mole  from  the  ifland  to  the  city,  for  the  protection 
of  his  mips,  and  in  this  he  employed  30,000  Chrif- 
tian  ilives,  who  were  engaged  in  this  work  for 
three  years  without  intermiffion,  in  which  time  the 
work  was  completed.  He  then  caufed  the  fort  ta 
ken  from  the  Spaniards  to  be  repaired,  and  placed 
a  ftrong  girrifon  in  it  to  prevent  foreign  veffels 
from  entering  the  harbour  without  giving  an  ac 
count  of  themfelves.  By  thefe  two  important 
works,  Hayradin  foon  became  dreaded  not  only 
by  the  Arabs  and  Moors,  but  alfo  by  the  maritime 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS,  35 

t2hriftian  powers,  cfpecially  the  Spaniards.  The 
viceroy  failed  not  to  acquaint  the  Grand  Signior 
with  his  iuccefs*  and  obtained  from  him  a  fiefh 
fupply  of  money,  by  which  he  was  enabled  to 
bui,d  a  ft  longer  fort,  and  to  erecl:  batieiieson  all 
places  that  might  favour  the  landing  of  the  enemy. 
All  thcfe  have  fitice  received  greater  improvements 
from  time  to  time,  as  often  as  there  was  occafion 
foi  them. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Sultan,  either  out  of  a  fenfb 
of  the  great    lervices  Hayradin    had    dene,  or  per 
haps  out    of  jValoufy  left   he  fhould  make  himielf 
independent,    railed    Ilayradin    to  the    dignity    of 
•baihaw  or  the  empire,  ar,d  appointed  Haflan  ^ga, 
a  Saidinian  renegado,  an  intrepid  warrior,  and  an 
experienced  officer,  to    fucceed  him  as  bathaw   of 
Algiers.      Ilafian    had  no    fooner   taken    poffbffion 
of  his   new    government,   than    he    began  to   pur- 
fue  his  ravages  on  the    Spaniih  coaft  with    greater 
fury  than  ever  ;   extending  them  to  the  ecclefiaOi- 
cal  dates,  and  other  parts  of  Italy.    But  Pope  Paul 
III.  being  alarmed   at  this,  exhorted    the  emperor 
Charles   V.  to  fend    a   powerful    fleet    to  fupprefs 
(Iiefe  frequent   and  cruel   piracies  ;  and,  that    no 
thing  might  be  wanting   to   render   the  enterprife 
fuccefsfwl,    a   bull  was   published   by  his  holinels, 
therein    a    plenary   abfolution    of    fins,    and    the 
crown  of  martyrdom,  were  prornifed  to  aU  thofe 
who  cither  fell  in  battle,  or  were  made  (laves.   The 
•emperor  on  his  pa  it  needed  no  fpur  ;  and  therefore 
*fet  fail  at  the  head  of  a  powerful  fleet,  confiding 
of    1 20   fhips  and    20    galleys,    having    on    board 
•30,000    chofen    troops,    an    imrnenfe    quantity   of 
mooey,arms,  amunhion,  &c.  In  this  expedition  ma 
ny  young  nobility  and  gentry  attended  as  volunteers, 
aad  among  thefe  many  knights  of  Malla,  fo  remark 
able 


35  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

able  for  their  valour  againft  the  enemies  of  Chrif- 
tianitv.  Even  ladies  of  birth  and  chara&er  attended 
Charles  in  his  expedition,  and  the  wives  and 
daughters  of  the  officers  and  foldiers  followed  them 
v/iih  a  defign  to  fettle  in  Barbary  after  the  cocquefl 
was  completed.  All  thefc  meeting  with  a  favour 
able  wind,  foon  appeared  before  Algiers:  every 
ihip  difplaving  the  Spanifli  colours  on  the  flern, 
and  another  at  the  head,  with  a  crucifix  to  ferve 
them  for  a  pilot. 

By  this  prodigious  armament  the  Algerines  were 
thrown  into  the  utmoil  confternation.  The  city 
was  furrounded  only  by  a  wall  with  fcarce  any  out 
works.  The  whole  garrifon  confided  of  800  Turks 
and  6000  Moors,  without  fire-arms,  and  poorly 
difciplined  and  accoutred  ;  the  reft  of  their  forces 
being  difperfed  in  the  other  provinces  of  the  kirg- 
dom  to  levy  the  ufual  tribute  on  the  Arabs  and 
Moors.  The  -Spaniards  landed  without  oppofition, 
and  immediately  built  a  fort,  under  the  cannon  of 
which  they  encamped,  and  diverted  the  couife  cf 
a  Ipring  which  fupplied  the  city  with  water.  Being 
now  reduced  to  the  utrnoft  diftrefs,  Haflan  receiv 
ed  a  fummons  to  furrender  at  discretion,  on  pain 
of  being  put  to  the  fword  with  all  the  garrifon. 
The  herald  was  ordered  to  extol  the  vail  power  of 
the  emperor  both  by  fea  and  land,  and  to  exhort 
him  to  return  to  the  Chriftian  religion*  But  to 
this  Haflan  only  replied,  that  he  mud  be  a  mad 
man  that  would  pretend  to  advife  an  enemy,  and 
that  the  advifed  mud  flili  2 61  more  madly  who 
would  take  counfel  of  fuch  an  ad  viler.  He  was, 
however,  on  the  point  of  furrendering  the  city, 
when  advice  was  brought  him,  that  the  forces  be 
longing  to  the  weftern  government  were  in  full 
march  towards  the  place  ;  upon  which  it  was  re- 

folved 


1!  1ST  OR  Y  CF  ALGIERS.  37 

•olvcd  to  defend  it  to  the  utmoft.  Charles,  in  the 
mean  time,  refolding  upon  a  general  affault,  kept 
a  conflant  firing  upon  the  town  ;  which,  from  the 
weak  defence  made  by  the  ganifon,  he  looked  up 
on  as  already  in  his  hands.  But  while  the  divan, 
•or  Algerine  fenate,  were  deliberating  upon  the 
rnoft  proper  means  of  obtaining  an  honorable  capi 
tulation,  a  mad  prophet,  attended  by  a  multitude 
of  people,  entered  the  aflembly,  and  foretold  the 
fpeedy  deftruclion  of  the  Spaniards  before  the  end 
of  the  moon,  exhorting  the  inhabitants  to  hold  out 
till  that  time.  This  prediction  v/as  foon  verified 
in  a  moft  furpriGng  and  unexpe6ied  manner  :  for, 
on  the  23th  of  October  1541,  a  dreadful  fiorm 
of  wind,  rain,  and  hail,  arole  from  the  north,  ac 
companied  \vith  violent  {hocks  cf  earthquakes,  and 
a  difmal  univerfal  darknefs  both  by  fea  and  land  ; 
fo  that  the  fun,  moon  and  elements  feemed  to  com 
bine  together  for  the  deftrudiicn  cf  the  Spaniards. 
In  one  night,  fome  fay  in  lefs  than  half  an  hour, 
86  (hips  and  15  galleys  were  defhoyed,  with  all 
their  crews  and  military  ft  ores  ;  by  which  the  ar 
my  on  iliore  was  deprived  of  all  means  of  fubfiii- 
ence.  Their  camp  alfo,  which  fpread  itfelf  along 
the  plain  under  the  fort,  was  laid  quite  under  wa 
ter  by  the  torrents  which  defcended  from  the  neigh 
bouring  hills.  Many  of  the  troops,  by  trying  to 
remove  into  fome  better  fituation,  were  cut  in  pie 
ces  by  the  Moors  and  Arabs ;  while  feveral  gal 
leys,  and  other  veflels,  endeavouring  to  gain  fornc 
neighbouring  creek  along  the  coafts,  were  immedi 
ately  plundered,  and  their  crews  maflacred  by  the 
inhabitants* 

The  next  morning  Charles   beheld  the  fen  co 
vered  with  the  fragments  of  mips,  and   the  bodies 
of  iiien,  horfes  and  other  creatures  fwimming  on 
D  the 


58  HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

the  waves ;  at  which  he  was  fo  disheartened  that 
he  abandoned  his  tents,  artillery,  and  all  his  heavy 
baggage  ,  to  the  enemy,  and  marched  at  the  head  of 
his  army,  though  in  no  fmall  diforder,  towards 
cape  Maiabux,  in  order  to  reimhark  in  thofe  vef- 
fels  which  had  weathered  out  the  ftorm.  But  Haf- 
ian,  who  had  watched  his  motions,  allowed  him 
juft  time  enough  to  get  to  the  Chore,  when  he  Tal 
lied  out  and  attacked  the  Spaniards  in  the  midfl  of 
their  hurry  and  confufion  to  get  into  their  flips, 
killing  great  numbers,  and  bringing  away  a  fliil 
greater  number  of  captives  ;  after  which  he  return 
ed  in  triumph  to  Algiers,  where  he  celebrated, 
with  great  rejoicings,  his  happy  deliverance  from 
fuch  diilrefs  and  danger  *. 

Soon  after  this  the  prophet  Yufef,  who  had  fore 
told  the  deflrudUon  of  the  Spaniards,  was  not  only 
declared  the  deliverer  of  his  country,  hut  had  a 
confiderable  gratuity  decreed  him,  with  the  liber 
ty  of  exercifing  his  prophetic  funclion  unmolefted. 
It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  marabouts,  and 
ibme  interpreters  of  the  law,  made  a  flrong  oppo- 
fition  againi!  him  ;  remonftrating  to  the  baihaw, 
how  ridiculous  and  fcandalous  it  was  to  the  nation, 
to  afcribe  their  deliverance  to  a  poor  fortune-teller, 
\vhich  had  been  obtained  by  the  iervent  prayers  of 
a  faint  of  their  own  profefTion.  But  though -the 
bafhaw  and  his  divan  feemed,  out  of  policy,  to 
give  into  this  taft  notion,  yet  the  impreffion  which 
"Yufef's  predictions, and  their  late  accomplimments, 
had  made  upon  the  minds  of  the  common  people, 
proved  too  flrong  to  be  'eradicated  ;  and  the  fpirit 
of  divination  and  conjuring  has  fince  got  into  fuch 
credit  among  them,  that  not  only  their  great  flatef- 

men 

*  Some  of  the  old  Engliftihiflorians  inform  us,  that  this 
<deilruftion  of  the  Spaniards  was  cccafioncd  by  witcl- craft! 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS.  59 

men,  but  their  priefts,  marabouts,  and  fantoons, 
have  applied  themfelves  to  that  ftudy,  and  digni 
fied  it  with  the  name  of  Mahomet's  Revelations* 

The  unhappy  Spaniards  had  fcarce  reached  their 
(hips,  when  they  were  attacked  by  a  frefh  ftorm,  in 
which  feveral  more  of  them  perifhed  ;  one  (hip  in 
particular,  containing  700  foldiers,  befides  failors, 
funk  in  the  emperor's  fight,  without  a  poffibility  of 
Caving  a  fingle  man.  At  length,  with  much  labour, 
they  reached  the  port  of  Bujeyah,  at  that  time  pof- 
feited  by  the  Spaniards,  whither  HalTan  king  of 
Tunis  loon  after  repaired,  with  a  fupoly  of  provi 
sions  for  the  emperor,  who  received  him  gracioufly, 
with  frefh  affurances  of  his  favour  and  protection. 
Here  he  difmifled  the  fexv  remains  of  the  Maltefe 
knights  and  their  forces,  who  embarked  in  three 
Chattered  galleys,  and  with  much  difficulty  and 
danger  reached  their  own  country.  Charles  himfelf 
llaid  no  longer  than  till  the  i6th  of  November,  when 
he  failed  for  Carttaagena,-  arid  reached  it  on  the 
25th  of  the  fame  month.  In  this  unfortunate  ex 
pedition  upwards  of  120  (hips  and  galleys  were  loft, 
above  300  colonels  and  other  land  and  fea  officers, 
8000  foldiers  and  mariners,  befides  thofe  deftroyed 
by  the  enemy  on  the  relmbarkation,  or  drowned 
i-n  the  lafi  ftorm.  The  number  of  prifoners  was 
fo  great,  that  the  Algerines  fold  fome  of  them,  by 
way  of  contempt,  for  an  onion  per  head. 

HafTan,  elated  with  this  victory,  in  which  he 
had  very  little  (hare,  undertook  an  expedition  a- 
gainfi;  the  king  of  Tremefen,  who,  being  now  de 
prived  of  the  aiRrtance  of  the  Spaniards,  was  for 
ced  to  procure  a  peace  by  paying  a  vaft  furn  of 
money, and  becoming  tributory  to  him.  The  bafhaw 
returned  to  Algiers,  laden  with  riches  ;  and  foon 
after  died  of  a  fever,  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age. 

From 


40  HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS. 

From  this  time  the  Spaniards  were  never  able  to 
annoy  the  Algerines  in  any  coniiderablc  degree, 
Jn  1555,  tney  1°^  ^1C  c^.v  °^  Cujcyah,  which  was 
Taken  by  Salha  Rais,  HaiTan's  fucceflbr  ;  who  next 
year  fet  out  on  a  new  expedition,  which  lie  kept 
a  fecret,  but  was  fufpecled  to  be  intended  sgainft 
Oran  :  but  he  was  fcarcely  got  four  leagues  from 
Algiers,  when  the  plague,  which  at  that  lime  ra 
ged  violently  in  the  city,  broke  out  in  his  groin,  and 
carried  him  oil  in  24  hours. 

Immediately  after  his  death   the   Algcrine    fol- 

diciy  chofe  a  GorGcan  renegades  Hailan  Corfo,  in 

his    room,  till    they    fhould  receive    further   orders 

from   the  Porte,      fie  did  not  accept  the  bafhawflnp 

without  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  ;   but   immediately 

profecuted    the  intended   expedition    to  Oran,  dif- 

pajching   a  meffenger  to   acquaint    the  Porte    with 

!  happened.     They  had  hardly  begun  their 

:,\vhcn  orders  came  from 

the  Poite,  exprefsiy  forbidding  i!a!lan  Corlb  to 
begin  the  tierce,  or,  if  he  had  begun  it,  enjoining 
him  to  raile  it  immediately.  This  news  was  receiv 
ed  with  great  grief  by  th-2  whole  fleet  and  army, 
as  they  thought  themselves  fure  of  fuccefs,  the 
garrifon  being  at  that  time  very  weak.  Ncverthe- 
Icfs,  as  they  dared  not  difobey,  the  fiegc  was  im 
mediately  railed. 

Corfo  had  hardly  enjoyed  the  dignity  four 
months,  before  news  came,  that  eight  gaileys  were 
bringing  a  new  bafiiaw  to  fucceed  him  ;  one  Tekel- 
li,  a  principal  Turk  of  the  Grand  Signior's  court  ; 
upon  which  the  Algerines  unanirnoufly  refolved  not 
to  admit  him.  By  the  treachery  of  the  Levantine 
foidiers,  however,  he  was  admitted  at  laft,  and  the 
unfortunate  Corfo  was  thrown  over  a  wall,  in  which 
a  number  of  iron  hooks  were  fixed  ;  one  of  which 

caueht 


HISTORY   OF    ALGIERS.  41 

caught  the  ribs  of  his  right  fide,  and  he  hung  three 
days  hi  the  mod  exquifite  torture  before  he  expired. 

Tekeiii  was  no  iboner  entered  upon  his  new 
government,  than  he  behaved  with  fuch  cruelty, 
that  he  was  aOadinated,  even  under  the  dome  of  a 
faint,  by  Yufef  Calabres,  the  favorite  renegade 
of  Haffan  Corfo  ;  who  for  this  fervice  was  unani- 
mouily  chofen  baihaw,  but  died  of  the  plague  fi:: 
days  after  his  election. 

Yufef  was  fucceeded  by  Haffan  the  fon  of  Hay- 
radin,  who  had  been  formerly  recalled  from  his 
balhawfhip,  v/hzn  he  was  fucceeded  by  Selha  Rais; 
and  now  had  got  the.  good  fortune  to  get  himfelf 
reinftatcd  in  his  employment.  Immediately  on  his 
arrival,  he  engaged  in  a  war  with  the  Arabs,  by 
whom  he  was  defeated  with  great  lofs.  The  next 
year,  the  Spaniards  undertook  an  expedition  againft 
Moftagan,  under  the  command  of  the  count  d'AI- 
candela  ,*  but  were  utterly  defeated,  the  comman 
der  hinnfeif  killed,  and  12,000  taken  pri loners. 
This  di farter  was  owing  to  the  inc^iliderate  rafh- 
nefs,  or  rather  rnadnefs,  of  the  commander  ;  which 
was  fo  great,  that  after  finding  it  impoilihle  to  rally 
his  fcaltered  forces,  he  ruihed,  f word  in  hand,  into 
the  thickeft  of  the  enemy's  ranks,  at  the  head  of  a 
frnall  number  of  men,  crying  out,  "  St.  J&go !  Sf* 
Jago  I  the.  viflory  is  curs,  the  enemy  is  dtfeatzd  ;?* 
ioon  after  which  he  v/as  thro-.vn  from  his  horfe, 
and  trampled  to  death- 

Hafian  having  had  the  misfortune  to  difplea'. 
fubj  allowing  the  mountaineers  of  Cuco  to 

buv  ;ioa    at    Algiers,   was-  lent   in  irons  l-.y 

Conilarsiinople,  while  the  arpof  the  jinifaries,  and 
:  general    of    the   land    forces,    fupplied     his   plarc. 
1 1  a iTa  n  c  a fi  1  y  f o u nd  means  to  c  1  e a  r .  h  i  m  f e  1  f  ;   b u  t  a 
nc'.v  bulhaw   was  appointed,  called  Aclunct  ;    ' 

D  a  was 


42  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

was  no  fooner  arrived,  than  he  fent  the  two  deputy* 
bafhaws  to  Conftantinople,  where  their  heads  were 
ftruck  off.  Achmet  was  a  man  of  fuch  infatiabie 
avarice,  that  upon  his  arrival  at  Algiers,  all  ranks 
of  people  came  in  (lioals  to  make  him  prefects  ; 
which  he  the  more  greedily  accepted,  as  he  had 
bought  his  dignity  by  the  money  he  had  amafTed 
while  head  gardener  to  the  Sultan.  He  enjoyed  it, 
however,  only  four  months,;  and  after  his  death, 
the  flate  was  governed  other  four  months  by  his  lieu 
tenant  ;  when  H.iflan  was  a  third  time  fent  viceroy 
to  Algiers,  where  he  was  received  with  the  greateft 
demonfl rations  of  joy. 

The  fir  ft  enterprife  in  which  HaiTan  engaged, 
was  the  fiege  of  Marfalquiver,  fjtuated  near  the  ci 
ty  of  Oran,  which  he  designed  to  invert  immedi 
ately  after.  The  army  employed  in  this  fiege  con- 
iitled  of  26,000  foot, and  10,000  horfe,  befides 
which  he  had  a  fleet  confiding  of  32  galleys  and 
galliots,  together  with  three  French  veiTels  laden 
with  bifcuit,  oil,  and  other  provisions.  The  city 
was  defended  by  Don  Martin  de  Cordova,  brother 
of  the  count  d'Alcandela,  who  had  been  taken  pri- 
foner  in  the  battle  where  that  nobleman  was  killed, 
but  had  obtained  his  liberty  from  the  Algerines 
with  immenfe  fums,  and  now  made  a  mod:  gallant 
defence  againft  the  Turks.  The  city  was  attacked 
with  the  utrooft  fury  by  fea  and  land,  and  feveral 
breaches  were  made  in  the  walk.  The  Turkiih 
ftandards  were  feveral  times  planted  on  the  walls, 
and  as  often  diilodged  ;  but  the  place  nvuft  in 
the  end  have  fubmitted,  had  not  Haffan  been  obli 
ged  to  raife  the  iiege  in  hafte,  on  the  news  that  the 
famous  Genoefe  admiral  Doria  was  approaching 
with  confiderable  fuccours  from  Italy.  The  fleet 
accordingly  arrived  loon  after  ;  but  milling  the  Al- 

gerine 


HISTORY   OF    ALGIERS.  43 

gerine  galleys,  bore  away  for  Pennon  de  Velez, 
where  they  were  (hamefully  repulfed  by  a  handful 
of  Turks  who  garrifoned  that  place  ;  which,  how 
ever,  was  taken  the  following  year. 

In  1567,  HafTan  was  again  recalled  to  Conflan* 
tinople,  wh*re  he  died  three  years  after.  He  was 
fucceeded  hy  Mahomet,  who  gained  the  love  of 
the  Algerines  by  feveral  public  fpirited  aliens. 
He  incorporated  the  Janiianes  and  Levantine 
Turks  together,  and  by  that  means  put  an  end  to 
their  diirentions,  which  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
Algerine  independency  on  the  Porte.  He  likewife 
aided  fome  confiderable  fortifications  to  the  city  and 
caftle,  which  he  defigned  to  render  impregnable. 

But  while  he  was  thus  Undying  the  intereM:  of  Al 
giers,  one  John  Gafcon,  a  bold  Spanifh  adventurer, 
formed  a  defign  of  furprifing  the  whole  piratic  navy 
in  the  bay,  and  letting  them  on  fire  in  the  night 
time,  when  they  lay  defencelefs,  and  in  their  firfl 
fleep.  For  this  he  had  not  only  the  perrniffion  of 
king  Philip  II.  but  was  furnifhed  by  him  with  pro 
per  veCTcls,  mariners,  and  fire-works,  for  the  exe 
cution  of  his  plot.  With  thefe  he  fet  fail  for  Al 
giers  in  the  beginning  of  October,  the  moft  proper 
feaion,  when  moft,  if  not  all  the  fhips  lay  at  an 
chor  there,  and  eafily  failed  near  enough,  unfuf- 
pe&ed,  to  view  their  manner  of  riding,  in  order  to 
furprife  them  at  a  time  when  the  greater  part  of 
their  crews  were  difperfed  in  their  quarters.  He 
carne  accordingly,  un perceived  by  any?  to  the  very 
mole-gate,  and  difperfed  his  men  with  their  fire 
works  ;  but  to  their  great  furprife,  they  found  them 
fo  ill  mixed,  that  they  could  not  with  all  their  art 
make  them  take  fire.  In  the  mean  time,  Gafcon 
took  it  into  his  head,  by  way  of  bravado,  to  go  to 
the  mole-gate,  and  give  three  loud  knocks  at  it  with 

the 


44  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

the  pommel  of  his  dagger,  and  to  leave  it  fixed  in 
the  gate  by  its  point,  that  the  Algerines  might  have 
eaufe  to  remember  him.  This  he  had  the  good 
fortune  to  do  without  meeting  any  diflurbance  or  op- 
pofiiion  ;  but  it  was  not  fo  with  his  men  ,*  for  no 
iboner  did  they  find  their  endeavours  fruflrated,  than 
they  made  fuch  a  buftle  as  quickly  alarmed  the 
guard  polled  on  the  adjacent  bad  ion,  from  \vhich 
the  uproar  quickly  fpread  itfelf  through  the  whole 
garrifon.  Gafcon  now  finding  himfelf  in  the  utmoll 
danger,  failed  away  with  all  poflible  hafte  ;  but  was 
purfued,  overtaken,  and  brought  back  a  prifoner  to 
Mahomet  ;  who  no  fooner  got  him  into  his  power, 
than  he  immediately  cauled  a  gibbet  of  considerable 
height  to  be  ere£\ed  on  the  fpot  where  Gafcon  had 
landed,  ordering  him  to  be  hoiiled  up,  and  hung  by 
the  feet  to  a  hook,  that  he  might  die  in  extreme  tor 
ture  ;  and  to  (how  his  refentment  and  contempt  of 
the  king  his  maPrer,  he  ordered  his  corn rniiTion  to  be 
tied  to  his  toes*  He  had  not,  however,  hung  long  in 
that  ftate,  when  the  captain  who  took  him,  accom 
panied  by  a  number  of  other  corfairs,  interceded  fo 
ftrongly  in  his  behalf,  that  he  was  taken  down,  and  put 
under  the  care  of  a  Chriftian  furgeon  ;  but  two  days 
after,  fome  Moors  reporting  that  it  was  the  common 
talk  and  belief  in  Soain,  that  the  Algerines  durfl: 
not  hurt  a  hair  of  Gabon's  head,  the  unfortunate 
Spaniard  was  holfted  up  by  a  puily  to  the  top  of  the 
execution-wall?  and  from  thence  thrown  down  up 
on  hooks  which  were  fattened  in  it,  one  of  which 
caught  him  by  the  ribs  as  he  fell,  and  gave  him  fuch 
a  wound  that  he  expired  without  a  groan. — Thus 
ended  the  expedition  of  John  Gafcon,  which  has 
procured  him  a  place  among  the  Spaniih  martyrs  ; 
while  on  the  other  hand,  the  Algerines  look  upon 
his  difappointment  to  have  been  miraculous,  anJ 

owing 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  45 

owing  to  the  efficacious  protection  of  the  powerful 
{&\nl~SidiOutededJa,  whofe  prayers  had  railed  fuch- 
a  terrible  ftorm  againil  the  SpanHh  fleet. 

Mahomet  being  foon  after  recalled,  was  fucceed- 
ed  by  the  famous  renegado  Ockali)  who  reduced 
the  kingdom  of  Tunis  ;  which,  however,  remain 
ed  fubjeft  to  the  viceroy  of  Algiers  only  till  the 
year  1586,  when  a  bafhaw  of  Tunis  was  appointed 
by  the  Porte, 

The  kingdom  of  Algiers  continued  to  be  go 
verned  till  the  beginning  of  the  feventeenth  centu 
ry,  by  viceroys, or  bafhaws  appointed  by  the  Porte  ; 
concerning  whom  we  find  nothing  very  remarkable, 
further  than  that  their  avarice  and  tyranny  was 
intolerable  both  to  the  Algerines  and  the  Tuiks 
thcmfelves.  At  laft  the  Turkifh  Janifaries  and 
militia  becoming  powerful  enough  to  fupprefa  the 
tyrannic  fvvay  of  thefe  bafhaws,  and  the  people 
being  alrnofl  exhaufied  by  the  heavy  (axes  laid  up 
on  them,  the  former  refolvcd  to  depofe  thefe  petty 
tyrants,  and  fet  up  fome  officers  of  tHfir  own  at  the 
head  of  government.  The  better  to  fucceed  in  this 
attempt,  the  militia  fent  a  deputation  of  feme  of 
their  chief  members  to  the  Porte,  to  complain  of 
the  avarice  and  opprefficn  of  thefe  bafhaws,  who 
funk  both  the  revenue  of  the  date,  and  put  the  nio- 
neyremitted  to  it  from  Constantinople  in  to  their  own 
coffers,  which  fhould  have  been  employed  in  keep 
ing  up  and  paying  the  foldiery  ;  by  which  means 
they  were  in  continual  danger  of  being  overpower 
ed  by  the  Arabians  and  Moors,  who,  if  ever  fb  little 
aiFifted  by  any  Chriftian  power,  would  hardly  fail 
of  driving  all  the  Turks  out  of  the  kingdom.  They 
reprefented  to  the  Grand  Vizir  how  much  mere 
honorable,  as  well  as  eaficr  and  cheaper,  it  would 
be  for  the  Grand  Signior  to  permit  them  to  choofc 

their 


46  HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

their  own  dey,  or  governor,  from  among  them- 
felves,  whofe  interelT  it  would  then  be  to  fee  that 
the  revenue  of  the  kingdom  was  rightly  applied,  in 
keeping  up  its  forces  complete,  and  fupplying  all 
other  exigencies  of  the  Hate,  without  any  farther 
charge  or  trouble  to  the  Porte  than  that  of  allow 
ing  it  protection.  On  their  part,  they  engaged  al 
ways  to  acknowledge  the  Grand  Signiors  as  their 
fovereigns,  and  to  pay  them  their  ufual  allegiance 
and  tribute,  to  refpedl  their  bafhaws,  and  even  to 
lodge  and  maintain  them  and  their  retinue,  in  a 
manner  fuitable  to  their  dignity,  at  their  own 
charge.  The  bafhaws,  however,  were  for  the  fu 
ture,  to  be  excluded  from  aflifthig  at  any  but  gene 
ral  divans,  unlefs  invited  to  it ;  and  from  having 
the  liberty  of  voting  in  them,  unlefs  when  their  ad 
vice  was  aiked,  or  the  intereft  of  the  Porte  was 
likely  to  fuller  by  their  file  ace.  All  other  con 
cerns,  which  related  to  the  government  of  Algiers, 
were  to  be  wholly  left  under  the  direction  of  the 
dey  and  his^divan. 

Thefe  propofals  having  been  accepted  by  the 
Porte,  the  deputies  returned  highly  fatisfted  ;  and 
having  notified  their  new  privileges,  the  great  di*- 
van  immediately  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  dey 
from  among  themfeives.  They  compiled  a  new- 
code  of  laws,  and  made  feveral  regulations  for  the 
better  fupport  and  maintenance  of  this  new  form  of 
government,  to  the  obfervation  of  which  they  obli 
ged  all  their  fubje&s  to  fwear ;  and  the  militia, 
navy,  commerce,  &c.  were  all  fettled  pretty  near 
ly  on  the  footing  upon  which  they  now  ftand  : 
though  the  fubfequent  altercations  that  frequently 
happened  between  the  balhaws  and  deys,  the  one 
endeavouring  to  recover  their  former  power, and 
the  other  to  curtail  it,  caufed  fuch  frequent  com 
plaints 


HISTORY    OF  ALGIERS.  47 

plaints  and  difconterits  at   the    Ottoman  court,  as 
juade  them  frequently  repent  their  compliance. 

In  the  year  1601,  the  Spaniards,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Doria  the  Genoefe  admiral,  made  ano 
ther  attempt  upon  Algiers,  in  which  they  were  more 
fortunate  than  ufual,  their  fleet  heing  only  driven 
back  by  contrary  winds,  fo  that  they  came  off  with 
out  lofs.  In  1609,  the  Moors  being  expelled  from 
Spain,  flocked  in  great  numbers  to  Algiers  ;  and 
as  many  of  them  were  very  able  failors,  they  un 
doubtedly  contributed  to  render  the  Algerine  fleet 
fo  formidable  as  it  became  loon  after  ;  though  it 
35  probable  the  frequent  attempts  made  on  their  ci 
ty  would  alfo  induce  them  to  increafe  their  fleet. 
In  1616  their  fleet  confided  of  40  fail  of  (hips  be 
tween  200  and  400  tons,  their  admiral  500  tons. 
It  was  divided  into  two  fquadrons,  one  of  18  fail,  be 
fore  the  port  of  Malaga  ;  and  the  other  at  the  Cape 
of  Santa  Maria,  between  Lifbon  and  Seville  ;  both 
of  which  fell  foul  of  allChriftian  (hips,  both  French 
and  Englifh,  with  whom  they  pretended  to  be  in 
friendfhip,  as  well  as  Spaniards  and  Portuguefe, 
with  whom  they  were  at  war. 

The  Algerines  now  became  verv  formidable  to 
the  European  powers.  The  Spaniards,  who  were 
mod  in  danger,  and  leaft  able  to  cope  with  them, 
folicited  the  affiilance  of  England,  the  pope,  and 
other  ftates.  The  French,  however,  were  the  firil 
who  dared  to  fhew  their  refentment  of  the  perfidi 
ous  behaviour  of  thefe  mifcreants;  and  in  1617,  M. 
Beaulieu  was  fent  againft  them  with  a  fleet  of  50 
men  of  war,  who  defeated  their  fleet,  took  two  of 
their  veflels,  while  their  admiral  funk  his  own 
fhip  and  crew,  rather  than  fall  into  his  enemies 
bauds. 

In 


43  HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS. 

In  1620,  a  fquadron  of  Englifh  men  of  war  was 
fent  againft  Algiers,  under  the  command  of  Sir 
Robert  Manfel  ;  but  of  this  expedition  we  have  no 
other  account,  than  that  it  returned  without  doing 
any  thing  ;  and  the  Algerines  becoming  more  and 
more  iniblent,  openly  defied  all  the  European 
powers, the  Dutch  only  accepted;  to  whom  in  1625, 
they  fer.t  a  propofal,  directed  to  the  prince  of 
Orange,  that  in  cafe  they  would  fit  cut  20  fail  of 
(hips  the  following  year,  upon  any  good  fervice 
againft  the  Spaniards,  they  would  join  them  with 
60  fail  of  their  own. 

The  next  year,  the  Coulolies,  or  Cologlies,  (the 
children  of  fuch  Turks  as  had  been  permitted  to 
marry  at  Algiers),  who  were  enrolled  in  the  mi 
litia,  having  feized  on  the  citadel,  had  well  nigh 
made  themfelvcs  matters  of  the  city  ;  but  were  at 
tacked  by  the  Turks  and  renegacioes,  who -defeated 
them  with  terrible  (laughter-  Many  fcores  of  them 
were  executed,  and  their  heads  thrown  in  heaps 
upon  the  city  walls,  without  the  eaftern  gate*  Part 
of  the  citadel  was  blown  up  ;  and  the  remaining 
Coulolies  were  difmifled  from  the  militia,  to  which 
they  were  not  a  gain  admitted  till  long  after. 

In  1623,  the  Algerincs  and  other  ftates  of  Barbary 
threw  off  their  dependence  on  the  Porte  altogether, 
andfet  up  for  tV.ernfeives.  What  gave  occafion  to  this 
was  the  25  years  truce  which  Sultan  Amurath  IV. 
was  obliged  to  make  with  the  emperor  Ferdinand  II. 
to  prevent  his  being  overmatched  by  carrying  on  a 
ivar  againft  him  and  the  Sophi  of  Perfia  at  the  fame 
time.  As  this  put  a  ttop  to  the  piratical  trade  of 
the  Algerines,  they  proceeded  as  above  mentioned; 
and  refolved  that  whoever  defired  to  be  at  peace  with 
them,  mud,  diftindtly  and  feparately,  apply  to 
their  government.  .No  iboner  was  this  refolution 

adopted 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS,  & 

adopted,  than  the  Algerlnes  began  to  make  prizes 
of  ieverai  merchant  fhips  belonging  to  powers  at 
peace  with  the  Porte.  Nay,  having  feized  a  Dutch 
ihip  and  poleacre  at  Scanderoon,  they  ventured  on 
ihore  ;  and  finding  the  town  abandoned  by  the 
Turkifh  aga  and  inhabitants,  they  plundered  all  ihe 
magazines  and  warehoufes,  and  fet  them  on  fire* 

About  this  time  Lewis  XIII.  undertook  to  build 
a  ibrt  on  their  coafts,  inilead  of  one  formerly  built 
by  the  Marfilians,  and  which  they  had  demoliihed. 
This,  after  fome  difficulty,  he  accomplished  ,*  and 
it  was  called  the  Bafiion  of  France:  but  the  fitua- 
tion  being  afterwards  found  inconvenient,  the 
French  purchafed  the  port  of  La  Calle,  and  ob 
tained  liberty  to  trade  with  the  Arabians  and 
Moors.  The  Ottoman  court,  in  the  mean  time, 
was  fo  much  embarralTed  with  the  Perfian  war, 
that  there  was  no  leifure  to  check  the  Alge- 
ri-nc  piracies.  This  gave  an  opportunity  to  the 
vizir  and  other  courtiers  to  compound  matters  with 
the  Algerines,  and  to  get  a  (hare  of  their  prizes, 
which  were  very  confiderable.  However,  for  form's 
fake, a  fevere  reprimand,  accompanied  with  threats, 
was  fent  them  ;  to  which  they  replied,  that  "  thefe 
depredations  deferved  to  be  indulged  to  them,  fee 
ing  they  were  the  only  bulwark  againft  the  Chrii- 
tian  powers,  efpecially  againft  the  Spaniards,  the 
fworn  enemies  of  the  Modern  name.  Adding,  "  that 
if  they  (hould  pay  a  punctilious  regard  to  all  that 
would  purchafe  peace,  or  liberty  to  trade  with  the 
Ottoman  empire,  they  would  have  nothing  to  do 
but  fet  fire  to  all  their  (hipping,  and  turn  camel- 
drivers  for  a  livelihood." 

In  the  year  1635,  four  young  brothers  of  a  good 

family  in  France,  entered   into  an   undertaking  fo 

defperate,    that    perhaps  the  annals  of  knight-er- 

E  rantrv 


50  HISTORY  OF  ALGTERS, 

rantry  can  fcarccly  furnifha  parallel.*— This  was  no 
lefs  than  to  retort  the  piracies  of  the  Algerines  upon 
themfclves ;  and  as  they  indifcriminately  took  the 
jQiips  of  all  nations,  fo  were  thcfe  heroes  indifcrimi 
nately  to  take  the  (hips  belonging  to  Algiers;  and 
this  with  a  fmali  frigate  of  ten  guns!*— In  this  ridicu 
lous  undertaking  100  volunteers  embarked ;  a  Mal- 
tefe  commifiion  was  procured,  together  with  an  able 
niaftcr  and  36  mariners.  They  had  the  good  fortune, 
on  their  firft  fetting  out,  to  take  a  (hip  laden  with 
\vine,  on  the  Spanifh  coaft  :  with  which  they  were 
fo  much  elated,  that  three  days  after  they  madly 
encountered  two  large  Algerine  corfairs,  one  of  20 
and  the  other  of  24  guns,  both  well  manned,  and 
commanded  by  able  officers.  Thefe  two  large  vef- 
fels  having  got  the  fmall  frigate  between  them, 
racked  her  fo  furioufly  with  broadfides,  that  they 
foon  carried  away  her  mainmafl  :  notwithftanding 
which,  the  French  made  fo  defperate  a  refiftance, 
that  the  pirates  were  not  able  to  take  them,  till 
the  noife  of  their  firing  brought  up  five  more  Al 
gerines;  when  the  French  veflel,  being  almoft 
torn  to  pieces*  was  boarded  and  taken.  The 
young  knight-errants  were  punilhed  for  their  teme 
rity  by  a  dreadful  captivity,  from  which  they  re 
deemed  themfclves  in  1642,  at  the  price  of  6oco 
dollars* 


CHAR 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 


CHAP.     III. 

The  Algerines  ft  out  a  formidable  fleet,  which  is  totally 
deftriyed  by  the  Venetians.  Algiers  in  great  confujion  at 
the  news.  The  Algerines  ft  out  a  new  fleet.  A  Dutch 
merchantman  defeats  a  number  of  their  galleys.  Le<wi$ 
XIF.  makes  preparations  againft  Algiers*  The  city  bom 
barded  and  fet  on  fre  by  the  French.  T/:t  Algerines 
commit  great  ravages  in  France.  Their  city  again  bom 
barded,  fet  on  fire>  and  al.moft  destroyed,  ^bey  fue  for 
peace.  Capt.  Beach  burns  fe<ven  of  their  foips.  The 
Turki/b  bfijbaw  expelled.  The  Spanijh  expedition  0f  1775. 

THE  Algerines  continued  to  profecutc  their  pira 
cies  with  impunity,  to  the  terror  and  difgrace 
of  the  European  powers,  till  the  year  1652;  when 
a  French  fleet  being  accidently  driven  into  Algiers, 
the  admiral  took  it  into  his  head  to  demand  a  re- 
leafeofail  the  captives  of  his  nation,  without  ex 
ception.  This  being  refufedy  the  Frenchman,  with 
out  ceremony,  carried  off  the  Turkifh  viceroy,  and 
his  cadi  or  judge,  who  were  juft  arrived  from  the 
Porte,  with  all  their  equipage  and  retinue.  The 
Algerines,  by  way  of  reprilal,  furprifed  the  Baf~' 
tion  of  France  already  mentioned,  and  carried  off 
the  inhabitants  to  the  number  of  600,  with  all  their 
effects  ;  which  fo  provoked  the  admiral,  that  he 
fent  them  word  that  he  would  pay  them  another 
vifit  the  next  year  with  his  whole  fleet. 

The    Algerines,  undifmayed  by  the  threats   of 
the  French  admiral >  fitted  out  a  fleet  of  16   galleys 

and 


52  HISTORY    OF  ALGIERS. 

and  galliots,  excellently  manned  and  equipped, 
under  the  command  of  admiral  Mali  Pinchinin. 
The  chief  defign  of  this  armament  was  againft  the 
treafure  of  Loretto  ;  which,  however,  they  were 
prevented  hy  contrary  winds  from  obtaining.  Upon 
this  they  made  a  defcenton  Puglia,  in  the  kingdom 
of  Naples  ;  where  they  ravaged  the  whole  territory 
of  Necotra,  carrying  ofF  avail  number  of  captives, 
and  among  them  fome  nuns.  From  thence  fleering 
towards  Dalmatia,  they  fcoured  the  Adriatic  ;  and 
loading  themfelves  with  immenle plunder,  left  thofe 
coafle  in  the  utmoft  confiernation. 

At  lad  the  Venetians,  alarmed  at  fuch  terrible 
depredations,  equipped  a  fleet  cf  28  fail,  under 
the  command  of  admiral  Capello,  with  exprefs 
orders  to  burn,  fink  and  take  all  the  Barbary  cor- 
fairs  he  met  with,  either  on  the  open  fea,  or  even 
in  the  Grand  Signior's  harbours,  purfuant  to  a  late 
treaty  of  pesce  with  the  Porte.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  captain  bafhaw,  who  had  been  fent  out 
with  the  Turkifh  fleet  to  chafe  the  Florentine  and 
Maltefe  cruifers  out  of  the  Archipelago,  under- 
fbnding  that  the  Algerine  fquadron  was  fo  near, 
fent  exprefs  orders  to  the  admiral  to  come  to  his 
affi'ftance.  Pinchinin  readily  agreed  ;  but  having 
firft  refolved  on  a  defcentupon  the  illand  of  Lifia, 
or  Lifina,  belonging  to  the  Venetians,  he  was  over 
taken  by  CapeJlo,  from  whom  he  retired  to  Va- 
lona,  a  fea  port  belonging  to  the  Grand  Signior, 
whither  the  Venetian  admiral  purfued  him,  but  the 
Turkilh  governor  refilling  to  ejecl  the  pirates  ac 
cording  to  the  articles  of  the  peace  between  the  Ot 
toman  court  and  Venice,  Capello  was  obliged  to 
content  himfelf  with  watching  them  for  fome  time. 
Pinchinin  was  foon  weary  of  reftraint,  and  ventu 
red  o^t ;  when  an  engagement  immediately  enfu- 

ed, 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  53 

cd,  in  which  the  Algerines  were  defeated,  and  five 
of  their  veffelsdi fabled  ,*  with  the  lofs  of  1500  men, 
Turks  and  Chriftian  (laves ;  befides  1600  galley- 
Haves  who  regained  their  liberty.  Pinchinin,  after 
this  defeat,  returned  to  Valona,  where  he  was 
again  watched  by  Capello  ;  but  the  latter  had  not 
lain  long  at  his  old  anchorage  before  he  received  a 
letter  from  the  fenate,  defiring  him  to  make  no  far 
ther  attempt  on  the  pirates  at  that  time,  for  fear  of  a 
rupture  with  the  Porte.  This  was  followed  by  a 
letter  from  the  governor  of  Valona,  defiring  him 
to  take  care  left  he  incurred  the  Sultanas  difpleafure 
by  fuch  infults.  The  brave  Venetian  was  forced  to 
comply  ;  but  refolving  to  take  fuch  a  leave  of  the  Al 
gerines  as  he  thought  they  deferved,  obferved  how 
they  had  reared  their  tents,  and  drawn  their  booty 
and  equipage  along  the  ihore.  He  then  kept  firing 
among  the  tents,  while  fome  well-manned  galliots 
and  brigantines  were  ordered  among  their  ihipping, 
who  attacked  them  with  fuch  bravery,  that,  without 
any  great  lofs,  they  towed  out. their  16  galleys, 
with  all  their  cannon,  flores  &c.  In  this  laft  en 
gagement,  a  ball  from  one  of  the  Venetian  gallies, 
happening  to  ftrike  a  Turkifh  rnofque,  the  whole 
action  was  confidered  as  an  infult  upon  the  Grand 
Signior.  To  conceal  this,  Gapello  was  ordered  to 
fink  all  the  Algerine  fhips  he  had  taken,  except 
the  admiral:;  which  was  to  be  concluded  to  Venice, 
and  laid  up  as  a  trophy-  Capello  came  off  with  a 
fevere  reprimand  ,*  but  the  Venetians  were  obliged 
to  buy,  with  500,000 ducats,  a  peace  from  the  Porte. 
The  Grand  Sigriior  offered  to  repair  the  lofs  of 
the  Algerines,  by  building  ten  galleys  for  them,  up 
on  condition  that  they  fhould  continue  in  his  fervice 
lIU  the  end  of  the  enfuing  fummer  ;  but  Pinchi- 
liln,  who  kn<ew  how  little  the  Algerines  chofe  to 
E  2  lie 


M  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

lie  under  obligations  to  him,  civilly  declined  the 
offer. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  news  of  this  defeat  and 
lofs  filled  Algiers  with  the  utmoft  grief  and  confu- 
(ion.  The  whole  city  was  on  the  point  of  a  ge 
neral  infurreclion,  when  the  balhaw  and  divan  if-* 
fued  a  proclamation,  forbidding  not  only  com* 
plaints  and  outcries,  under  the  fevered:  penalties  ; 
but  all  perfons  whatever  to  take  their  thumbs  from 
within  their  girdles,  while  they  were  deliberating 
on  this  important  point.  In  the  mean  time,  they 
applied  to  the  Porte  for  an  order  that  the  Venetians 
fettled  in  the  Levant  fhould  make  up  their  lofs.  But 
with  this  the  Grand  Signior  refufed  to  comply,  and 
left  them  to  repair  their  lofles,  as  well  as  build  new 
(hips,  in  the  beft  manner  they  could.  It  was  not 
long,  however,  before  they  had  the  fatisfaftion  to 
fee  one  of  their  corfairs  land, \with  a  frefli  fupply 
of  600  (laves,  whom  he  had  brought  from  the  coaft 
of  Iceland,  whither  he  had  been  di reeled  by  a  mif- 
creant  native  on  board  a  Danifh  {hip. 

Our  pirates  did  not  long  continue  in  their  weak 
and  defencclefs  (late  ;  being  able,  at  the  end  of  two 
years,  to  appear  at  fea  with  a  fleet  of  65  fail.  The 
admiral  Pinchinin  equipped  four  galliots  at  his  own 
expence ;  with  which,  in  conjunction  with  the 
chiayah,  or  fecretary  of  the  balhaw  of  Tripoli,  he 
made  a  fecond  excurfion.  This  fmall  fquadron, 
confifting  of  five  galleys  and  two  brigantines,  and 
manned  with  their  mod  able  feaman,  fell  in  with 
an  Enolifh  (hip  of  40  guns ;  which,  however, 
Pinchinin's  captains  refufed  to  engage  ;  but  being 
afterwards  reproached  by  him  for  their  cowardice, 
they  fvvore  they  would  attack  the  next  Chriflian 
{hip  that  came  in  their  way.  This  happened  to  be  a 
Dutch  merchantman,  of  28  guns  and  40  men,  d£ep- 

V 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  55 

ly  laden,  and  unable  to  ufe  her  fails  by  reafon 
of  a  calm.  Pinchinin  immediately  fummoned  her 
Jo  furrender ;  but  receiving  an  ironical  anfwer, 
drew  up  his  fquadron,  by  means  of  oars,  in  the 
form  of  a  half-moon,  that  they  rt|ight  pour  their 
fhot  all  at  once  into  their  advcrfary.  But  the  mo 
ment  they  were  preparing  to  difcharge  a  tremen 
dous  broadfide  into  her,  a  breeze  of  wind  fortu 
nately  fprung  up,  and  enabled  him  to  change  his 
position  ;  which  threw  the  Algerine  fquadron  into 
iuch  confufion  that  they  ran  foul  of  each  other  ; 
during  which  Pinchinin  ran  his  own  galley  along 
fide  of  the  merchantman,  and  70  Algerines  beard 
ed  him  with  cutlafles  in  their  hands  ;  fome  cutting 
away  the  rigging,  and  others  plying  the  hatches 
with  hand-grenadoes  ;  but  the  Dutchmen,  hav 
ing  well  fecured  themfelves  in  their  clofe  quar 
ters,  began  to  fire  upon  the  Algerines  on  board 
their  vefTel  from  two  pieces  of  cannon  loaded  with 
final!  (hot,  which  made  fuch  ilaughter  among  them, 
that  they  were  all  either  killed  or  forced  to  fubmit. 
Pinchinin,  in  the  mean  time,  made  feveral  unfuc- 
cefsful  attempts  to  relieve  his  men,  as  well  as  to 
furround  the  Dutchman  with  his  other  galleys  :  but 
that  (hip  lay  fo  deep  in  the  water,  that  every  fhot 
did  terrible  execution  among  the  pirates.  Every 
effort  to  recover  from  their  confufion  was  vain,  and 
the  Dutchman  continued  to  pour  into  them  fuch 
vollies  of  grape-fhot  and  bars  of  iron,  that  in  lefs 
than  ten  minutes  above  200  of  them  were  killed, 
and  a  much  greater  number  wounded  ;  among 
whom  was  the  chiayah  himfelf,  who  received  a 
wound  in  the  belly,  of  which  he  died  fhortly  af 
ter.  The  fquadron  now  retired  with  the  utmoft  ex 
pedition,  and  returned  to  Algiers  in  the  mod  dil- 
inal  plight. 

But 


56  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

But  though  Pinchinin  thus  returned  in  difgrace, 
the  reft  of  the  fleet  captured  vaft  numbers  of  ilaves, 
and  an  immenfe  quantity  of  rich  fpoils  ;  infomuch 
that  the  Englifh,  French  and  Dutch,  were  obliged 
to  cringe  to  the  Algerines,  who  fometimes  vouch- 
iafed  to  be  at  peace  with  them  ;  but  fwore  eternal 
war  againft  Spain,  Portugal,  and  Italy,  whom  they 
looked  upon  as  the  greateft  enemies  to  the  Maho 
metan  name.  At  lait  Lewis  XIV.  provoked  by 
the  grievous  outrages  committed  by  the  Algerines 
on  the  coafts  of  Provence  and  Languedoc,  ordered, 
in  1 68 1,  a  confiderable  fleet  to  be  fitted  out  a- 
gainft  them,  under  the  Marquis  du  Quefne,  vice- 
admiral  of  France.  His  fird  expedition  was  againft 
a  number  of  Tripolitan  corfairs  ;  who  had  the  good 
fortune  to  outrow  him,  and  fhelter  tiaemfelves  in  the 
ifland  of  Scio  belonging  to  the  Turks-  This  did 
not,  however,  prevent  him  from  purfuing  them  thi 
ther,  and  making  fuch  terrible  fire  upon  them  as 
quickly  deftroyed  14  of  their  veffels,  befides  bat 
tering  the  wails  of  the  caftie. 

This  feverity  feemed  only  to  be  defigned  as  a 
check  to  the  piracies  of  the  Algerines  ,*  but,  find 
ing  they  ft  ill  continued  their  outrages  on  the 
French  coaft,  he  failed  to  Algiers  in  Auguft  1682, 
connonading  and  bombarding  it  fo  furioufly,  that 
the  whole  town  was  in  flames  in  a  very  little  time. 
The  great  Mofque  was  battered  down,  and  mod  of 
the  houfes  laid  in  ruins  ;  infomuch  that  the  inhabi 
tants  were  on  the  point  of  abandoning  the  place  ; 
when  on  a  fudden  the  wind  turned  about,  and  o- 
bliged  Du  Quefne  to  return  to  Toulon.  The 
Algerines  immediately  made  reprifals,  by  fending 
&  number  of  galleys  and  galliots  to  the  coafts  of 
Provence,  where  they  committed  the  moft  dread 
ful  outrages;  and  brought  away  a  vad  number  of 

captives  ; 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS.  57 

aptives  :  upon  which  a  new  armament  was  order 
ed  to  be  got  ready  at  Toulon  and  Marfeilles,  a- 
gainft  the  next  year  ;  and  the  Algerines,  having 
received  timely  notice,  put  themfelves  into  as  a  good 
ftate  of  defence  as  the  time  would  allow. 

In  May  1683,  Du  Quefne  with  his  fquadron  caft 
anchor  before  Algiers;  when  being  joined  by  the 
Marquis  d'Affranville,  at  the  head  of  five  ftout  vef- 
fels,  it  was  refolved  to  bombard  the  town  next  day. 
Accordingly  100  bombs  were  thrown  into  it  the 
firfi  day,  which  did  terrible  execution  ;  while  the 
befieged  made  forne  hundred  difcharges  of  their 
cannon  a  gainft  them,  without  doing  any  confider- 
able  damage.  The  following  night  the  bombs 
were  again  thrown  into  the  city  in  fitch  numbers, 
that  the  dey's  palace  and  other  great  edifices  were 
almofl  deftroyed  ;  fome  of  their  batteries  were  dif- 
mounted,  and  feveral  veiTels  funk  in  the  port.  The 
dey  and  Turkilh  bafnaw,  as  well  as  the  whole  fol- 
diery,  alarmed  at  this  dreadful  havoc  immediately 
fued  for  peace.  As  a  preliminary,  the  immediate 
furrender  was  infifled  on,  of  all  Chriftian  captives 
who  had  been  taken  fighting  under  the  French 
flag  ;  which  being  granted,  142  of  them  were  im 
mediately  delivered  up,  with  a  promife  offending 
him  the  remainder  as  icon  as  they  could  be  got 
from  the  different  parts  of  the  country.  Accord 
ingly,  Du  Quefne  fent  his  commifiary-general  and 
one  of  his  engineers  into  the  town  ;  but  with  exprefs 
orders  to  infift  upon  the  delivery  of  all  the  French 
captives  without  exception,  together  with  the  ef 
fects  they  had  taken  from  the  French  ;  and  that 
Mezomorto  their  then  admiral,  and  Halt  Rais  one 
of  their  captains,  fhould  be  given  as  hoflages. 

This  laft  demand  having  embarra (Ted  the  dey,  he 
aflembled  the  Divan,  and  acquainted  them  with  it; 

upon 


58  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

upon  which  Mezomorto  fell  into  a  violent  paflion, 
and  told  the  affembly,  that  the  cowardice  of  thofe 
who  fat  at  the  helm,  had  occafioned  the  ruin  of  Al 
giers  ;  but  that,  for  his  part,  he  would  never  con- 
fent  to  deliver  up  any  thing  that  had  been  taken 
from  the  French. 

He  immediately  acquainted  the  foldiery  with 
what  had  paffecl  ;  which  fo  exafperated  them,  that 
they  murdered  the  dey  that  very  night,  and  on  the 
morrow  chofe  Mezomorto  in  his  place.  This  was 
no  fooner  donej  than  he  cancelled  all  the  articles  of 
peace  which  had  been  made,  and  hoftilities  were 
renewed  with  greater  fury  than  ever. 

The  French  admiral  now  kept  pouring  in  fuch 
volli.es  of  bombs,  that  in  lefs  than  three  days,  the 
greateft  part  of  the  city  was  reduced  to  afnes,  and 
the  fire   burnt  with   fuch  vehemence,  that  the   fea 
was  enlightened   with  it  for  more  than  fix  miles 
round.     Mezomorto,  unmoved  at  all  thefe  difafters, 
and  the  vaft  number  of  the  {lain,    whofe  blood  ran 
in  rivulets  along  the  flreets  ;   or  rather  grown  furi- 
rious  and  defperate,  fought  only  how  to  wreak  his 
vengeance  on   the   enemy  ;    and  not   content  with 
caufing  all  the  French  in  the  city  to  be  cruelly  mur 
dered,  ordered  their  conful  to  be  tied  hand  and  foot, 
and  fattened  alive  to  the  mouth  of  a  mortar,  from 
whence  he  was  (hot  away  againft  their  navy.     By 
this  piece  of  inhumanity  Du.Quefne  was  fo  exafpe 
rated,  that  he  did  not  leave  Algiers  till  he  had  utterly 
deftroyed   all   their  fortifications,  fhipping,    almoft 
all  the  lower  part,  and  above  two  thirds  of  the  up 
per  part  of  the  city  ;  by  which  means  it  became  lit 
tle  elfe  than  a  heap  of  ruins. 

The  haughty  Algerines  were  now  thoroughly  con 
vinced  that  they  were  not  invicible;  and,  therefore 
munediately  fent  on  embafly  into  France,  begging 

in 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  :t, 

in  ihe  moft  humble  terms,  for  peace;  which  Lewis 
immediately  granted,  to  their  inexpreffible  joy. 
They  now  began  to  pay  fome  regard  to  other  na 
tions,  and  to  be  a  little  more  cautious  how  they  wan 
tonly  incurred  their  difpleafure.  The  firft  bombard 
ment  by  (he  French  had  ib  far  humbled  the  Algerines, 
that  they  condefcended  to  enter  into  a  treaty  with 
England;  which  was  renewed,  upon  terms  very  ad 
vantageous  to  the  latter,  in  1686.  It  is  not  to  be  fup- 
pofed,  however,  that  the  natural  perfidy  of  the 
Algerines  would  difappear  on  a  fudden  :  notwith- 
ftanding  this  treaty,  therefore,  they  loft  no  oppor 
tunity  of  making  prizes  of  the  Engliih  (hips  when 
they  could  conveniently  come  at  them.  Upon  feme 
infringement  of  this  kind,  captain  Beach  drove 
them  alhore  and  burnt  feven  of  their  frigates  in 
1695  »  which  produced  a  renewal  of  the  treaty 
five  years  after  :  but  it  was  not  till  the  taking  of 
Gibraltar  and  port  Mahon,  that  Britain  could  have 
a  fufficient  check  upon  them  to  enforce  the  obfer- 
vation  of  treaties  ;  and  thefe  have  fince  proved  iuch 
reftraints  upon  Algiers,  that  they  ftill  continue  to 
pay  a  greater  deference  to  the  Englifh  than  to  any 
other  European  power. 

The  prefent  century  furniihes  but  few  very  re 
markable  events  with  regard  to  Algiers.  The  fa 
mous  city  of  Oran  was,  however,  taken  from  the 
Spaniards  in  1708,  which  they  recovered  in  1737. 
In  1710  the  Turkifh  balhaw  was  expelled,  and  his 
office  united  to  that  of  the  dey.  This  introduced 
the  form  of  government  which  fiill  continues  in 
Algiers. 

In  1775  the  Spaniards  made  another  defcent  up 
on  Algiers.  They  fitted  out  this  year  a  very  formi 
dable  fleet  confifling  of  fix  fhips  of  the  line,  twelve 
frigates,  nine  xebeques,and  twenty-four  other  armed 

veflels, 


60  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS, 

veffels,  commanded  by  Don  Pedro  de  Caftijon  ;  on 
board  of  which  was  embarked  a  body  of  24,447 
men,  including  infantry,  cavalry,  dragoons,  artil 
lery-men,  mariners,  and  600  deierters  to  ferve  as 
workmen,  all  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
general  Conde  de  O'Reilly,  a  p-rfonal  favorite  of 
the  late  king  of  Spain.  They  had  Jikeuife  for  land 
fervice  176  pieces  of  artillery,  mortars,  and  howit 
zers,  with  a  fuitable  quantity  of  military  ftores. 
The  Spaniards  entertained  the  moft  fanguine  ex 
pectations  of  luccefs  in  this  expedition,  and  a  grand 
ceremonial  was  performed  by  the  principal  officers 
at  the  church  of  St.  Francifco,  in  honor  of  La  Pu- 
rijjima  Conception,  patronefsof  all  Spain,  imploring 
her  protection,  and  fuccefs  to  the  king's  arms,  af 
ter  which  O'Reilly  delivered  a  pompous  oration. 

On  the  23d  of  June  the  fleet  fct  fail  from  the  port 
of  Carthagena  in  Spain,  and  on  the  ift  of  July  an 
chored  in  the  bay  of  Algiers.  They  obferved  a 
large  encampment,  placed  behind  a  battery,  eaft  of 
the  little  river  Xarach,  which  lies  to  the  eaftward 
of  the  city,  and  feveral  Moors  on  horfeback  about 
the  beach.  On  the  fecond  of  July  a  council  of  the 
principal  officers  was  held,  and  orders  were  given 
that  the  troops  fhould  hold  themfelves  in  readinefs  to 
difembark  the  next  morning  at  day-break.  But  as  the 
fucceeding  night  was  windy,  and  a  fwell  had  fet  in 
from  the  fhore,  thefe  orders  were  countermanded. 
From  this  day  until  the  6th  was  an  interval  of  inac 
tivity;  frequent  councils  were  held,  in  which  violent 
contefls  arofe,  and  a  quarrel  eniued  between  O'Reil 
ly,  and  major  general  Romana,  a  Spaniard  of  an 
impetuous  temper,  who  appearing  to  thwart  the 
meafures  of  the  commander  in  chief,  received  from 
him  fome  feverc  reproaches* 

Oa 


ft  I.  3  7  0  II  Y    OF    ALGIERS.  61 

On  the  6th,  r.ll  the  principal  officers  were  again 
sflernbled     to    receive    their    ultimate    inftrudttons, 
when  the  orders   of  the   2d    of  July  were    ftrongly 
recommended  ;  which,  however,  offended  the  orri* 
cers    in   general,  by   allotting    feverc  punilh  meats 
for  trivial  neglects.     In  thefe  orders  the  comman 
der  in  chief  enjoined  the  troops  not  to  break  their 
order  ;  as  nothing  but  united   force  and   difcipline 
could  enfure  them   fuccefs  againft  an  enemy  io  ac 
tive  and  Ikilful  in  defultory  war.     He   particularly 
warned  them  of  the  practice  of  the  Moors,  who  al 
ways  feign   a   nioR   violent  attack,  and   upon   the 
leaft  refinance  fly   with  precipitation,  in   order  ta 
draw    their  enemy    into  an    umbufcad,e.     But    he 
pointed  out  to  them  the  very  error  which  they  after- 
wards  committed,  and   the  fnare  into  which  they 
were  betrayed.     On  landing,  he  commanded  each 
brigade  to  form  a  column  of  a  company  in   front, 
fix    deep  ;  and    the   guards  of  half  a   company  in 
front:    and    directed    them    to  gain    fome  heights 
which  were  fuppofed   requiiite  to  enfure  fuccefs  a- 
gain  (I  the  city.     The  difpofition  of  the  march  was 
ordered  to  be  in  four  columns,  with   the  light    in 
fantry  in  advance,  and  on  the  flanks  ;   each  column 
\vasto  have  four  held  pieces  in  front, tobe  increafed 
as  exigencies  might  require  :  two  redoubts  were  to 
be  formed  at  the   place  of  difembarkation,  and    a 
communication  to  be  kept  up  between  the  army, 
thole  fortifications,  and  the  licet*     In  the  afternoon 
of  the  6th,  fome  (hips  of  war  were  ordered  to  fire 
againft  three  batteries  to  the  eaftward  of  Algiers.  But 
they  were  Rationed  at  fo  great  adiftance,  through  the 
fear  of  being  raked  by  the  Algerine  batteries,  that 
i-heirihoi  did  not  reach  the  (bore! — except  thofeof  the 
•St.  Joferh,  of  74  guns,  which  received  feme  damage 

from 
F 


62  HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

from  the  enemy.  At  fun-fet  this  very  cautious  at 
tack  ceafed. 

On  the  yth  at  daybreak,  between  eight  and  nine 
thoufand  men  were  put  on  board  of  boats  for  land 
ing.  They  advanced  very  near  the  ihcre,  about  a 
mile  to  the  weflward  of  the  river  Xarach,  under  the 
protection  of  feven  galleys,  and  tv/o  long  boats 
with  a  twelve  pounder  each  ;  not  a  Moor  appear 
ing  to  oppofe  their  landing.  At  feven  o'clock  in 
the  morning  they  returned  on  board  the  tranfports, 
and  not  a  ihot  was  fired  on  either  fide  the  whole 
clay  !  Orders  were  then  given  for  the  tranfpcrt 
long  boats  to  be  manned  with  Spanifh  feamen,  and 
to  be  in  readinefs  at  c%y-break  the  next  morning. 

On  the  8th  at  day-{|£|>ik  the  IHps  were  ported  to 
batter  the  different  ftjRs  to  the  right  and  left  of 
the  place  of  difembarkation,  and  8000  troops  were 
put  on  board  of  boats,  which  formed  in  fix  columns ; 
at  the  head  of  which  were  the  grenadiers,  preceded 
by  the  armed  xebeques,  galliots,  Ac.  that  were 
to  cover  their  landing.  'The  firing  from  the  fhips 
began,  and  the  troops  moved  on  to  the  place  of 
difembarkation,  where  they  effected  their  landing 
on  the  beach,  (about  a  league  to  the  eaftward  of  the 
city),  between  the  intervals  of  firing  from  the  cover 
ing  veflels  ;  and  immediately  above  80,000  Moors 
appeared  in  fight,  two-thirds  of  which  were  caval 
ry,  under  the  bey  of  Contfantina  ;  but  they  did  not 
attempt  to  oppefe  the  landing  of  the  Spanifn  for 
ces.  The  Turks  in  the  mean  time  remained  to 
defend  the  .city,  and  not  one  of  them  appeared  to 
difpute  the  ground.  It  is  faid  that  the  whole  num 
ber  of  Africans  colleger]  on  this  occaflon  was  not 
Jefs  than  150,000,  of  which  ioo,cco  were  -cavalry. 
'As  foon  as  the  8oco  Spaniards  had  made  good  their 
.landing,  they  formed  f)X  deep,  according  to  or 
ders  .; 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS.  63. 

rlers  ;  the  armeJ  veflfels  divided  to  the  right  and 
left,  to  cover  their  flanks  ;  and  the  boats  returned 
to  bring  the  reft  of  the  army  on  fhore  with  all  ex 
pedition.  The  troops  of  the  firft  difembarkation 
had  fcarcely  formed,  when  a  detachment  of  the 
enemy  appeared  in  their  front  ;  but  upon  oblerving 
a  movement  of  the  Spaniards  towards  them,  they 
{led  in  diforder.  The  troops  then  marched  for 
ward,  by  the  beat  of  drum,  with  the  volunteers  of 
Arragon  and  Catolonia  in  front,  until  they  were 
engaged  in  a  clofe  country,  which  the  enemy  had 
occupied  in  fmall  parties  ;  but  pofled  fo  advanta- 
geoully  in  ditches  and  fortreiTes,  that  they  made 
great  havoc  among  the  Spaniards,  without  receiv 
ing  any  injury  in  return.  The  Spaniih  grenadiers, 
and  light  infantry,  which  had  been  detached  in 
advance,  were  repulied.  At  this  juncture  they 
were  reinforced  by  the  troops  of  the  lecond  difern- 
barkation,  and  fome  heavy  cannon  coming  up 
which  protected  their  march,  they  again  advanced 
towards  fome  inclofures,  where  they  directed  a  hea 
vy  fire  ;  but  without  being  able  to  di (lodge  the  ene 
my.  Great  numbers  of  the  Spaniards  fell  without 
gaining  the  lead  advantage  ;  in  confequence  of 
which  their  whole  body  fell  into  confufion.  The 
zeal  and  intrepidity  of  the  officers  was  infufncient 
to  contain  the  men  ;  fome  advanced,  and  others 
retired,  in  an  indifcriminate  manner,  jufl  as  they 
judged  it  expedient,  without  any  regard  to  the 
command  of  their  officers.  While  'they  were  in  this 
critical  fit  nation,  a  drove  of  camels  appeared,  ex 
tending  on  their  left,  conducted  by  fome  Moors, 
with  a  defign  of  drawing  the  fire  of  the  enemy  upon 
them.  Great  was  the  (laughter  of  the  Spaniards, 
and  in  this  extremity  a  cry  was  fpread  that  they 
were  cut  off  by  the  Mooriih  horle.  The  utmoft 

confufion 


6"4  II ::    .  F  ALGIERS, 

ronfi;fiG',  i}ed,   and  the  \vhoh  body  ilcd  v.i;k 

the:  great  i  pi  cation,   leaving   on    the   frpli 

battle  an  immenfe  number  of  wounded,  whcrr«  they  ' 
were  obliged  to  abandon  to  the  mercy  of  their  ene 
mies.  By  this  time  the  workmen  and  troops  of 
the  thhd  difembarkalion  were  forming  entrench 
ments,  which  they  had  already  fortified  wall  three 
eight  pounders  ;  which  diJ  great  execution  ;  at 
the  fame  time  the  Tufcan  conuttuodcrs  drexv  their 
frigates  clofe  into  (ho re,  and  kept  up  fuch  a 
wcll-direclcd  fire,  th^t  the  Spaniards  were  enabled 
to  make  good  their  retreat  into  their  entrenchments,, 
which  were,  however,  icarcely  large  enough  to. 
contain  their  army.  In  this  crowded  fituation  they 
were  much  annoyed  by  a  thiity-frc  pounder  which 
the  enemy  brought  out  of  one  of  their  batteries, 
awd  an  elevated  tire  from  the  fort  of  Xarach  con 
tributed  much  to  the  mi  {chief.  The  Moors  at 
tacked  them  in  their  trenches,  hut  they  were  re- 
pulfed  with  great  ilau^hter,  and  in  this  fituation 
the  Spaniards  remained  till  dark,  when  they  began 
their  re-imbarkation  in  great  tumult  and  confufion  ; 
but  what  difcovered  the  ignorance  of  the  Moors, 
was  their  neglcfting  fo  favourable  an  opportunity  of 
obtaining  th^  completed  of  victories. 

The  lois  fuftained  by  the  Spaniards  on  this  occa- 
fion,  amounted  to  27  officers  killed,  and  191  wound 
ed;  501  men  killed,  and  2,088  wounded.  The 
Marquis  of  Ram  ana  was  killed  at  the  head  of  his 
brigade  in  the  commencement  of  the  action.  The 
lofs  of  the  Moors  it  is  laid,  was  between  five  and 
fix  thoufand  killed,  and  as  many  wounded;  but  this 
feems  improbable  *.  The  government  of  Algiers 

had 

*  The  above  account  is  agreeable  to  the  Spanilli 
court  gazettes,  (in  vvhic'-i  truth.  :.s  fc-Uom  expecled',  and' 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS.    .       65 

had  offered  a  premium  of  ten  fequins  for  every  Spa 
niard's  head,  and  coniequently  the  wounded  Spa 
niards,  who  were  left  on  the  field  of  battle,  were  all 
murdered.  The  unfortunate  invaders  leit  behind 
them  on  their  retreat,  15  pieces  of  cannon,  three 
howitzers,  and  a  great  number  of  fniall  arms  and 
ammunition. 

On  the  1 2th  of  July,  the  troops,  and  the  great- 
eft  part  of  the  fleet  let  fail  on  their  return  to  Spain, 
and  thus  terminated  this  Quixotic  expedition  ;  of 
which  a  Spanilh  ferjeanf,  in  giving  an  account  to 
his  wife,  ludicroufly  fays,  Nos  mandaron  a  tierra9 
€omo  Ji  ibemos  a  bebtr  cafe^  con  los  Moros  ;  "we 
were  commanded  a-fhore  as  if  we  were  to  drink 
coffee  with  the  Moors." 

When  th-  melancholy  intelligence  was  announ 
ced  of  the  failure  of  this  expedition,  from  which  the 
Spanifh  nation  had  formed  fuch  fanguine  expecta 
tions  of  fuccefs,  the  national  feelings  were  indif- 
eribable.  O'Reilly  was  in  confequence  fo  cordi 
ally  detefted,  that  niobs  aOembled  upon  the  road  to 
Alicant  with  an  intent  to  wreak  their  vengeance  up 
on  him.  They  Hopped  many  carriages,  and  that 
O'Reilly  (who  was  lame)  might  not  be  concealed, 
they  made  the  people  get  out  and  walk  before  them. 
Had  the  liberty  of  the  prefs  prevailed  the  world- 
would  have  known  the  fentiments  of  the  Spanifh 
nation  upon  this  occafion.  The  king  was  threaten 
ed  if  his  favorite  fhouid  ever  appear  at  court  again, 

and 

agrees  with  Dalrymple's  ftatement,  who  fays  it  nearly 
correfponds  with  a  letter  from  Algiers.  But  other  wri 
ters  ftate  the  SpaniHi  iofs  much  greater,  and  it  is  at  leaft 
evident  that  there  cannot  be  fo  wide  a  difference  ia 
the  Iofs  between  the  parties,  efpecially  as  the  Spaniards 
lilade  fj»  little  i^prefTion  on  the  Moors  in  their  ditches>  &c. 
F  2 


66          HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

and  to  appeafe  the  turbulence  of  the  people  he 
was  foon  after  removed  from  the  governorship  of 
Madrid. 

Since  the  failure  of  this  expedition  the  Spaniards 
have  attempted  nothing  decifive  againft  Algiers.  In 
the  years  1783  and  1784,  indeed,  they  renewed  their 
attacks  by  fea  to  deftroy  the  city  and  galleys;  but 
after  fpending  a  great  quantity  of  ammunition, 
bombs,  &c.  they  were  obliged  to  retire  without  ei 
ther  its  capture  or  extinction. 


CHAP* 


HISTORY  OF    ALGIERS.  67 


CHAP.     IV. 

t  The  Algerines  begin  their  depredations  upon  the  American 
commerce.  Captain  Stephens  and  Q*Brien  taken.  A  truce 
with  Portugal.  Eleven  fail  of  American  <ve/ftls  captured) 
and  their  crews  made  flaves.  Their  treatment  and 
fujfe  rings.  Col.  Hu?nphrey$  and  Mr.  Donaldfon  fent 
to  treat  <with  the  Algerines*  Mr*  Barlow  dif- 
patched  to  the  Earbary  States*  Mr.  Donaldfon  con 
cludes  a  treaty  with  Algiers.  Captain  O'Brien  fent 
with  225>COO  dollars  to  the  dey.  Captured  ly  a  Tripo- 
litan  corfair.  Releafed  and  arrives  at  Algiers.  Treats 
with  'Tripoli.  The  Tunifian  territory  invaded.  The 
American  prifoners  releafed.  Defperate  engagement  be 
tween  an  Algerine  corfair  and  two  Neapolitan  frigates* 
Various  occurrences.  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State* 

AFTER  the  eflablidiment  of  tjie  American  inde 
pendence,  when  the  United  States  had  relin- 
qui(hed  their  maritime  dependence  upon  the  Englilh 
nation,  it  followed  as  a  natural  confequence,  that 
the  American  commerce  mufl  fall  a  facrifice  to  the 
ravages  of  the  Algerine  corfairs  ;  and  no  doubt  it 
was  through  the  intrigues  of  theBritifh  cabinet,  who 
were  chagrined  at  our  recent  emancipation,  that 
their  hofiile  difpofition  was  fo  quickly  nianifeited. 
Various  circumftances  concurred  to  render  them 
eligible  objects  of  piratical  rapacity.  America  was 
fituated  at  the  diftance  of  more  than  three  thoufand 
miles  from  the  theatre  of  their  piracies,  and  as  (he 
fupported  no  maritime  force  they  were  enabled  to 

continue 


63  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

continue  their  depredations  with  impunity.  Her 
extenfive  commerce  with  Europe  preferred  a  fplen- 
did  allurement  to  the  pirates,  who  were  well  aware 
that  the  prevention  of  their  aggreOTions  would  re-  \ 
quire  a  naval  armament  greatly  fuperior  to  the  fub- 
ftantial  benefits  that  could  be  derived  from  an  at 
tempt  to  reduce  them  to  fupmiftion.  It  is,  how 
ever,  by  no  means  problematical,  that  the  naval 
force  of  the  United  States,  with,  judicious  comman 
ders,  would  prove  fully  competent  to  reduce  their 
fleet,  if  not  to  effect  the  deftru£Hon  of  their  city. 
According  to  the  moll  authentic  accounts,  their  na 
vy  is  at  prefent  extremely  inconfiderabie,  and  ma 
ny  of  the  American  captives  concur  in  the  aflertion, 
that  the  fleet  of  this  regency  only  amounted  ia 
1796  to  five  frigates,  two  xsbecks,  and  one  half  gal 
ley  !  a  force  by  no  means  to  be  put  in  competition 
with  that  which  could  be  raifed  by  the  United 
Slates.  But  to  bring  all  their  fhips  of  war  to  a  re 
gular  engagement  at  once,  would  be  totally  im 
practicable  ;  for  whenever  an  hofiile  armament 
icours  the  Mediterranean  they  immediately  fly  for 
refuge  to  the  guns  bf  their  fortifications. 

When  we  reflect  upon  the  peculiar  encourage 
ment  they  had  to  commit  depredations  on  our  corn* 
merce,  it  becomes  rather  a  matter  of  wonder  that 
we  fufFered  fo  little,  than  that  we  fufFered  fo  much. 
For  this  fecurity  we  were  greatly  indebted  to  the 
wars  which  exifted  between  the  Algerines,  the 
Portuguefe  and  the  Dutch,  at  the  time  they  com 
menced  their  ravages  upon  our  trade  ;  either  of 
which  powers  are  greatly  fuperior  to  the  corfairs  in 
maritime  ftrength,  and  they  fo  narrowly  watched 
the  entrance  of  the  Mediterranean  for  the  protection 
of  their  own  commerce,  that  the  pirates  were  fel- 
dom  able  to  cruife  out  into  the  Atlantic.  Thofe 

American 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  69 


freights  were  generally  fafe  ;  for  they  desived  their 
lecurity  either  frcrn  forged  cr  purchased  Mediter 
ranean  paffports. 

Notwiihftanding  the  vigilance  with  which  the 
Pcrtuguefe  guaided  the  fireights,  the  Algerines 
fomelimes  ftcle  out  into  the  Atlantic,  and  in  one 
of  thefe  excurfions,  which  happened  while  the  Por- 
tuguefe  fleet  were  ordered  upon  ionie  fecret  expedi 
tion,  the  fchconer  Maria,  captain  Stephens,  be 
longing  to  Mr.  Fcfter  of  Boflon,  was  captured  by 
a  coriair  oiFCape  St. Vincents,  on  the  25th  of  July 
1785  ;  and  five  days  afterwards,  the  {hip  Dolphin, 
captain  O'Brien,  belonging  to  Meffrs.  Irvines  of 
•  Philadelphia,  was  taken  by  another  about  50  leagues 
to  the  well  ward  of  Liflbon.  Thefe  veflels,  with 
their  cargoes  and  crews,  about  21  in  nurr.ber,  were 
carried  into  Algiers,  where  they  were  made  fiavcs. 
Towards  the  latter  end  cf  the  year  1793,  a 
truce  was  made  between  the  court  of  Lifbcn  and 
the  regency  of  Algiers,  for  the  period  of  twelve 
months,  and  in  coniequence,  nine  fail  of  Algerine 
cruifers  pafled  out  through  the  Streighls  of  Gibral 
tar  into  the  Atlantic  ocean.  Their  cruinng  (la- 
lion  was  between  Cape  St.  Vincents  and  the  wef- 
tern  iilands,  where  they  continued  to  cruife  the 
greateft  part  of  the  winter,  contrary  to  their  former 
cuilom  of  retiring  from  the  ocean  in  November. 
In  confequence  of  this  truce,  the  courts  of  Lifbon 
and  Madrid  granted  convoys  to  American  veilels 
homeward  bound,  to  a  certain  latitude  where  they 
were  free  from  the  corfairs. 

On  the  iSthof  October  1793,  about  five  leagues 
from  Gibraltar,  captain  John  M'Shane  of  the  JVli- 
nerva,  was  L carded    by  a   xcbeck  of  20  gun?,  be 
longing 


70  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

longing  to  Algiers,  who  after  coming  within  muf- 
ket-fhot,  kept  a  conftant  firing  with  fmall-arms 
until  the  yards  of  the  American  veffel  were  manned 
from  thofe  of  the  cruifer.  The  firing  then  ceafed  ,*\ 
they  came  down  fvvord  in  hand  and  made  the  Ame- 
lican  crew  prifoners;  dripped  them  of  their  clothes, 
and  put  them  on  board  the  xebeck,  which  carried 
them  to  Algiers, where  they  arrived  the3Oth  of  Octo 
ber.  As  foon  as  they  had  arrived  they  were  taken 
before  the  dey,  and  after  examination,  were  or 
dered  to  the  Bagnio,  where  the  (laves  are  kept  lock 
ed  up  at  night.  The  ne.xt  day  they  were  bound 
with  iron  chains,  each  about  40  pounds  weight, 
which  reached  from  their  legs  to  their  hips,  and  lent 
to  the  marine,  where  they  were  kept  at  hard  labour 
from  day-light  till  dark. 

On  the  2x1  of  Oftober,  captain  William  Pen- 
fofe,  ofthefhip  Prefident  of  Philadelphia,  difcov- 
ered,  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  fail  to  the 
windward  bearing  down  upon  him,  which  the 
ihip's  company  at  firft  imagined  to  be  a  Spanifh 
privateer.  But  they  were  foon  fatally  deceived  ; 
ifor  (he  proved  to  be  an  Algerine  corfair.  As  foon 
as  (lie  difcovered  the  American  flag  fhe  hoifted  out 
her  boat  immediately,  and  30  men  armed  with 
piftols  and  drawn  cutlaffes  furioufly  boarded  his 
veffel.  The  firft  falutation  the  captain  received 
was  a  violent  droke  with  a  cutlafs  ;  after  which 
they  compelled  the  whole  (hip's  company  to  jump 
over  the  rail  of  the  veiTel  into  their  boat,  without 
fufFering  any  one  to  go  below  for  their  clothes,  and 
other  necefiary  articles.  The  crew  were  then  car 
ried  on  board  the  cruifer,  where  they  were  dripped 
naked,  and  a  few  old  rags  were  given  them  in  re 
turn,  neither  fufficient  to  conceal  their  nakednefs, 
nor  protect  them  from  the  cold. 

In 


HISTOPxY  OF  ALGIERS.  71 

In  this  fituation  they  were  obliged  to  lie  on 
\tleck,  where  they  fuffered  great  hardfhips  from  the 
inclemency  of  the  fealbn.  Captain  Penrofe  tells 
us  he  was  forced  to  lie  on  the  poop,  where  he  was 
almcft  perlfhed  by  a  bitter  north-eaft  wind  ;  till  at 
length  an  old  man,  more  humane  than  the  reft, 
fumifhed  him  with  a  blanket.  The  provifions  given 
4hem  to  eat,  were  black  bread  and  water,  and  fome- 
times  a  few  rotten  olives?  which  they  regarded  as 
a  great  dainty. 

in  this  forlorn  fituation  they  continued  eight 
days,  and  on  the  3Oth  of  October  they  arrived  at 
Algiers.  Here  they  were  fubjecied  to  a  new  fe- 
ries  of  mifery.  They  thought  themfelves  cruelly 
treated  on  board  the  cruiier  ;  but  their  treatment 
there  was  pleafure  when  contraOed  with  the  mife- 
ries  they  afterwards  experienced.  They  were 
fcarcely  on  fhore  when  they  were  loaded  with 
irons,  and  immediately  put  to  hard  labour  like  fo 
many  criminals. 

The  number  of  American  prifoners  now  amounted 
to  about  130,  among  whom  were  captains  Stephens 
and  O'Brien,  whofe  crews  had  been  reduced  to  ten 
by  the  plague,  and  the  feverity  of  their  treatment  for 
upwards  of  eight  years.  The  frnali  pittance  they 
.had  received  from  the  United  States  had  been 
withheld  about  three  months  before ;  and  their 
only  fubfiftence  was  a  little  black  bread  and 
water,  and  fornetimee;  nothing. 

In  their  October  expedition  they  captured  ten  fail 
of  American  veflels,  nine  of  which  lately  entered 
the  harbour  of  Algiers  on  the  3Cth  of  October 
where  the  veffels  anchored,  amidft  the  fhouts  of 
the  people*.  The 

'  The  names  of  the  American  captains  and  their  pla 
ces  of  refidence  are  as  follows  ; — Captains  Wallace*  Vir- 


72  HISTORY   OB'  ALGIERS. 

The  Algerine  corfairs,  greatly  animated  with  the 
fuccefs  of  ttiis  expedition,  immediately  fet  fail  to  re> 
fume  their  former  ftation  ;  while  others  were  equip\ 
ping  in  the  harbour  with  the  utmoll  fpeed.  But  for-V 
tunately  the  mifcreants  only  captured  one  Ameri 
can  velFel,  about  a  month  afterwards,  belonging  to 
captain  Jofeph  Ingrahsm  ;  for  the  Americans  were 
extremely  cautious  how  they  came  within  the  fphere 
of  their  rapacity  ;  and,  after  thefe  captures,  they 
never  fell  in  with  any  American  veffels,  but  thole 
that  were  protected  by  convoys. 

After  thefe  events,  the  American  prifoners 
were  fub jeered  to  a  i  cries  of  mifery  which  humani 
ty  blulhes  to  record.  As  foon  as  they  landed  in 
Algiers,  they  were  immediately  ordered  to  the  dey's 
palace,  where  they  were  drawn  up  in  files,  in  a 
ba>k  court,  and  underwent  a  ftrick  examination. 
The  dey,  attended  by  his  cook,  paffed  and  re- 
paffed  in  front  of  them,  and  was  extremely  pleafed 
with  their  appearance.  He  lele&ed  from  their  num 
ber  all  the  boys  and  younger  men,  whom  he  em 
ployed  in  his  palace  at  different  occupations,  ge 
nerally  of  a  fervile  nature;  fomc  were  ordered  to 
fv/eep  the  apartments,  fome  to  wa(h  clothes,  and 
others  to  wait  upon  the  dey  and  take  care  of  his 
wardrobe.  The  relt  of  the  prifoners  were  then 
difmiffcd,  and  as  they  withdrew  from  the  royal 
prefence,  the  dey  faid  to  them,  in  the  tone  of  fa- 
vage  triumph,  "  Go  now  you  dogs  and  cat  Jt tines." 
They  were  then  efcoited  to  the  Bagnio  Baleck, 

where 

a ;  Newman,  Eofton  ;  Ta}'!or,  Rhods-Ifland  ;  Furnace, 
New-Hampfhirc;  Calder,  Glouceiter ;  Burnham,  New- 
York;  Baiiey,  Kewbury  ;  Mo  is,  ditto;  Ivl'Shafie  and 
*  c'-rofe,  i'hiladeiphia. 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS, 

where  they  were  lodged  in  different  sparimcnt.-? 
among  the  old  (laves*  and  each  prifoner  furnifhed 
with  a  couple  of  coarfe  blankets  fcr  his  bedding. 
In  this  di final  region  of  mifery  and  oppreflftdfj, 
arriidft  the  clanking  of  chains  and  the  cries  ot  iui- 
fcring  humanity,  they  were  left  to  brood  over  their 
misfortunes  at  leifure.  The  gloomy  profpedl  that 
prefentcd  itfelf  wrung  the  heart  with  the  rnoft  poig 
nant  emotions  of  anguiih  and  defpair. 

About  midnight  they  were  roufed  from  their 
meditations  by  the  cry  of  Surfa,  Surja,  rite  up  all 
hands.  The  Lijbtjo,  or  guardian  of  the  Bagnio, 
then  entered  their  apartments,  and  leaded  each 
prifoner  with  chains  of  thirty  or  forty  pounds 
weight.  The  next  morning  about  day- break  they 
were  ordered  to  the  marine,  where,  after  their 
names  were  called  over,  they  were  employed  in 
difcharging  the  cargoes  of  their  own  veffels,  which 
confifted  of  wheat,  flour,  wine,  fugar,  and  other 
articles.  Their  general  employment  in  the  ma 
rine  was  the  rigging  and  fitting  out  cf  cruifers,  and 
whenever  any  foreign  veflel  lay  in  the  harbour 
they  were  obliged  to  wear  this  enormous  weight 
of  chains,  left  they  (hould  make  their  efcape  ;  but 
2t  other  times  they  were  fieed  from  their  load,  ex 
cept  thofe  who  were  turbulent,  or  by  any  particu 
lar  mifconduft  had  forfeited  this  privilege  of  the 
flaves. 

The  hour  of  four  in  the  afternoon  is  called  lazar, 
at  which  time  a  white  flag  is  hoifted  upon  the  tops 
of  all  the  mofques  in  the  city,  as  a  fignal  fcr  the 
inhabitants  to  quit  their  labour,  and  repair  to  pub 
lic  worfhip.  At  this  hour  the  labour  of  the  prifon-_ 
.ers  ceafed,  and  they  were  permitted  to  go  on  (here, 
except  \vhen  any  bufinefs  of  importance  occurred, 

G 


;f  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

and  Vv-hcn  that  was  the  cafe  they  were  generally  con* 
lined  till  dark. 

As  foon  as  they  were  ordered  on  (here  they  were 
provided  with  Jnftruments  to  carry  ftones  from  the 
inolc  to  a  grand  rrjofque,  which  the  dey  was  build 
ing  in  the  city  adjoining  his  feraglio.  Thefe  in- 
flrumen's  were  formed  of  crofs  pieces  of  timber, 
called  burrils,  to  which  the  ftones,  timber,  cannon 
or  \vhatever  elfe  was  neceflary  to  be  carried,  were 
fufpendecl  beneath  by  ropes,  and  borne  upon  the 
fhoulders  of  four  men,  \vho  were  appointed  to  carry 
each  burriU  A  particular  load  was  always  afligned 
thern,  and  the  weak  and  the  (Irorg  were  indifcri- 
Tiiinately  compelled  to  carry  thefe  burdens,  without 
any  attention  being  paid  to  the  comparative  bodily 
ilrength  of  the  labourer.  To  perfcns  of  robufl 
conftituti6hs  thefc  loaded  burrils  were  tolerable,  but 
to  thofe  cf  v/^k  habits  of  body  they  were  en 
tirely  infupr  and  hence  it  happened,  that 
many  peifons,  by  being  overtrained,  were  either 
blinded,  or  extremely  injured  in  their  ronftitutions* 
c  prcceffion  of  loaded  burrils  was  ready 
to  move,  the  warden  baihaw,  who  flood  at  the  port 
of  the  marine,  waved  his  wand  as  a  fignal  for  the 
ihves  to  advance  to  the  port,  where  they  were  ex 
amined  by  the  wardens  of  the  marine,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  difcovering  whether  they  had  ilolen  any 
particular  articles  from  the  veffels.  After  this  ex 
amination  they  were  permitted  to  pafs  with  their 
loads,  which  they  depofited  at  (he  newmofque,  and 
then  retired  with  their  inftruments  1o  their  refpeft- 
ive  lodgings  ;  fame  to  the  Bagnio  Baleck,  and  others 
fo  the  Bagnio  Gallaro,  where  their  names  were 
xi  over  by  the  clerks,  and  each  (lave  as  he  pai- 
jCCtved  i\  loaf  of  black  bread  for  his  fupper. 

Kcr  PV    '*cre  oblicred  to  ileep  upon 


HISTORY"   OF   ALGIERS. 

the  ground  ;    but  they  foon   conftrucied   for  them  • 
felves  a  kind  of  wooden  frames,  which  were  fw 
like  hammocks  one  above  another,  and  upon  i; 
they   threw  their  clothes  and  blankets  when   i 
were  about  to  retire  to  red  :  but  to  add  to  their  m 
ries,  their  fleep  was  inceffantly  cKruiled  by  in 
numbers  of  vermin  with  which  theie  Bagnios  i  war 
med.     In    the   morning  they    again    repaired    with 
their  burrils  *o  the  marine,  where  their  names  were 
called  over;  and  in  this  manner  were  they  contlaruly 
employed  whenever  the  equipment  of  the  Aigenne 
corfairs  was  necelTary. 

Many  of  the  flaves,  however,  were  diftributed  in 
different  parts  ;    fome  were   fent  into  the  country, 
and  whenever   the  fea  was  calm,  £nd   no  particular 
emergency    required    their    labour    in   the   marine, 
great    numbers  of  others  were  employed  in  remov 
ing  flones  from  a  mountain  called    Bahloct,  or  ra 
ther  Bublyzokite, about  a  league  from  the  oity,  in  or 
der  to  defend  the  mole  from  the  impetuofity  of  the 
waves.      Thefe  flones  were  blown  by  (laves  from 
the  immenfe  rocki  which  lie  depouted  in  the  moun 
tain,  and  fome  of  them  were  twelve  or  fifteen  feet 
in  diameter.     In   order  to  convey  them   more  con 
veniently  to  the  water,  the  flaves  were  engaged  for 
more  than  a  year,  in  formmga  padage   through  a 
large  hill,  which  they  removed  and  carried  into  the 
lea,  where   they  formed  a  large   mole  or  wharf  to 
prote6l  their  pantoons,  or  carrying  boats,  from  the 
violence  of  the  waves.    Informing  this  paflage  they 
dug  through  a  Moorifh  burial  ground,  from  whence 
they  removed  immenfe  numbers  of  human   bones* 
Thefe   repofitories  of  the  dead  are  always  regarded 
as  facred  by  the  Moors,   and  the  whole  neighbour 
hood,  and  particularly  the  women,  were,  in  conie- 
que-nce,    thrown    into    the    gveateft    confternalion. 

Thev 


;u  HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS* 

They  reforted  to  this  fcene  of  facrilege,  and  In 
dulged  the  moll  immoderate  grief  over  this  devaf- 
Ution  among  the  relics  of  their  friends.  But  fuch 
were  the  orders  of  the  dey,  and  they  were  obliged 
to  fubniit  patiently  to  his  will. 

After  this  paiTage  was  formed*  thefe  immenfe 
fragments  of  rocks  were  dragged  by  (laves,  with 
great  labour  and  difficult^,  from  the  mountain,  and 
placed  upon  flrong  carriages  about  two  feet  high  ; 
upon  which  they  were  conveyed  to  the  wharf,  by 
upwards  of  two  hundred  ilaves  to  each  carriage, 
where  they  were  thrown  into  pantoons;  from  thence 
they  were  tranfported  by  water,  and  difcharged  at 
the  mole  before  the  city. 

But  u  hen  the  fea  was  tempeftuous  and  the  pan- 
toons  could  not  be  navigated,  the  (laves  were  then 
employed  in  carrying  (mailer  ftones  by  land.  Af 
ter  having  fufpended  a  load  to  their  burrils,  of  fuch 
a  weight-as  1'ome  were  fcarcely  able  to  dagger  un 
der,  they  proceeded  in  gangs  of  different  numbers, 
attended  by  a  crew  of  favage  drivers,  who  goaded 
them  forward  whenever  they  halted  or  happened 
to  faulter  under  the  preffure  of  their  burdens.  The 
extremity  of  their  fufFerings  in  this  laborious  em 
ployment  is  better  conceived  than  exprefled.  The 
molt  barbarous  punimments  were  wantonly  inflic 
ted,  and  the  violence  of  a  fcorching  fun,  which 
poured  its  fervid  rays  upon  them,  feeined  to 
complete  the  meafure  of  human  wretchednefs. 
With  this  enormous  weight  of  ftones  they  moved 
forward,  attended  by  wardens  who  preceded  them 
in  order  to  clear  the  (Ireets  of  the  city  through 
which  they  paffed,  where  every  perfon  was  obliged 
to  give  way  at  their  approach.  After  having  dif 
charged  their  loads  at  the  mole  they  returned,  and 
-'a  this  manner  were  they  employed  during  the 

fummer 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  77 

Htmmcr  feafon,  when  no  particular  emergencies 
demanded  their  labour  in  the  marine.  This  mole, 
in  confequence  of  the  encroachments  of  the  fea  du 
ring  the  winter,  requires  an  eternal  fupply  of 
ftones,  and  in  this  manner  is  this  Sifyphsean  labour 
conducted  by  a  herd  of  wretches  who  are  of 
ten  doomed  to  this  abject  fervitude  for  life.  1  he 
dey  commonly  rides  out  to  his  country-feat  about 
twice  a  week,  xvhere  his  favorite  wife  reticles  in 
the  funimer  feafon,  and  in  pafling  and  repairing 
he  would  fometimes  condefcend  to  diftribute  forne 
trifling  preionts  among  the  (laves. 

The  overfeers  in  their  treatment  towards  the 
flaves  feemed  actuated  by  a  principle  of  the  moli 
favage  cruelty,  and  inflicied  the  mofi  rigorous  pu- 
nimments  through  mere  caprice  and  wantonnels,  in 
order  to  feaft  their  malignant  fouls  with  the  aeo- 

o 

nies  of  the  trembling  wretch  who  flood  ready  to  ex 
pire  beneath  their  hands.  Among  this  troop  of 
furies,  a  certain  cktriff^  a  name  given  to  all  ihofe 
who  are  born  on  Friday,  moli  eminently  diftin- 
guifhed  himfelf.  The  inordinate  ferocity  of  this 
barbarian  had  proved  the  death  of  many  a  flave, 
and  the  mifcreant  was  moil  cordially  detefted 
wherever  became.  One  day  as  he  was  purfuing 
a  Gcnoefe  (lave  through  the  upper  apartments  of  one 
of  the  magazines  on  the  fea-tide,  he  fell,  by  feme 
accident,  from  a  confiderable  eminence  upon  a 
heap  of  ftones,  where  he  met  with  fo  hard  a  recep 
tion  that  he  inftantly  expired..  This  accident  pro 
duced  the  moll  extravagant  joy  among  the  Haves, 
which  was  only  marred  with  the  apprehenfion  that 
the  favage  would  recover  :  but  they  loon  had  the 
fatisfaction  of  feeing  him  fafely  lodged  in  the  earth. 
it  would  perhaps  be  improper  to  defcend  to  par 
ticulars  here,  and  we  mud  therefore  refer  the  reader 
G  2  for 


78  HISTORY    OF  ALGIERS. 

for  particular  anecdotes,  occurrences,  and  other  ar 
ticles  which  regard  our  countrymen,  to  our  obfer- 
vations  upon  the  (lavesi 

In  the  mean  time,  the  fufterings  of  our  fellow  . 
citizens  in  Algiers  were  the  univerfal  fubjecl  of 
fympalhy  and  regret;  and  meafures  were  foon 
adopted  to  erFe6t  their  deliverance  from  this  region 
of  unparalleled  miiery.  Colonel  Humphreys,  who 
had  been  appointed  American  conful  for  Algiers, 
left  America  in  April  1795,  in  company 'with  Jo- 
feph  Donaldfon,  Efq.  of  Phihdelphia,  who  had 
been  appointed  conful  for  Tunis  and  Tripoli,  and 
whom  Colonel  Humphreys  was  authorifed  to  em-  . 
ploy  in  the  negociation  of  a  treaty  of  peace  and 
amity  with  Algiers,  while  he  proceeded  to  France 
for  the  purpofe  of  obtaining  the  co-operation  of  that 
government  in  this  negotiation. 

They  arrived  at  Gibraltar  the  lyth  of  May, 
where  Col.  Humphreys  concluded  that  it  would  be 
expedient  for  Mr.  Donaldfon  to  go  firll  to  Aiicant, 
to  the  northward  of  Carihagena  in  Spain,  rather 
than  to  Algiers,  there  to  refide  for  fome  time,  in 
order  that  he  might  be  near  the  fcene  of  negocia- 
tion,  and  take  advantage  of  any  favorable  occur 
rences  that  might  happen.  Mr.  Donaldfon  receiv 
ed  his  inftrudtions  accordingly,  and  immediately 
fet  out  for  that  place  ;  and  in  the  mean  time  Col. 
Humphreys,  having  alfo  given  inftru&ions  to  Mr. 
Simpfon,  the  American  conful  at  Gibraltar,  to  re 
new  a  peace  with  the  emperor  of  Morocco,  failed 
from  Gibraltar  the  24th  of  May,  and  on  the  26th 
of  June  following  arrived  at  Havre^de-Grace  in 
France  ;  from  whence  he  immediately  fet  out  for 
Paris,  where  he  foon  after  communicated  the  ob 
ject  of  his  million  to  Col.  Monroe,  the  American 

Kiinifter, 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 


79 


.'minifter,  and  to  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety  of 
that  Republic. 

On  the  i ft  of  July  Col.  Humphreys  received  a»ver- 
bal  notification  that  the  French  Republic  wasdifpofed 
to  exert  its  influence  in  forwarding  the  negociation  in 
queftiqn;  and  on  the  28th  he  received  the  favorable 
intelligence,  that  immediate  meafures  mould  be  a- 
dopted  for  giving  particular  inffruC\ions  to  the  agents 
of  the  Republic  to  ufe  its  influence  in  the  promotion 
of  the  treaty  in  contemplation.  The  multiplicity 
of  national  concerns  with  which  the  officers  of  the 
French  government  were  then  occupied,  and  the 
time  requifite  for  obtaining  from  London  (where 
funds  had  been  depofued)  the  fums  of  money  in 
tended  as  peace  prefents,  retarded  the  conclufion 
of  arrangements  at  Paris  till  fome  time  in  Septem 
ber. 

In  the  mean  time  it  had  been  deemed  expedient 
by  Cols.  Monroe  and  Humphreys,  that  Joel  Bar 
low,  Efq.  (hould  be  confuited,  and  if  his  aflent 
ccHild  be  obtained  that  he  fliould  be  employed  in 
negociating  with  the  Barbary  States:  to  which  Mr. 
Barlow  confented.  By  the  nth  of  September  all 
liis  papers  on  the  part  of  Col.  Humphreys  relative 
to  Mr.  Barlow's  million  were  in  readinefs,  and  as 
foon  as  the  peace  prefents  were  prepared  for  him, 
lie  fet  out,  with  inftru&ions  and  powers  from  the  Re 
public  of  France  to  its  agents  in  Barbary,  to  exe 
cute  the  bufinefs  that  had  been  entrufted  to  him. 

On  the  1 2th  of  September  Col.  Humphreys  left 
Paris,  and  arrived  at  Havre-de-Grace  the  J4th  ; 
where  he  found  the  captain  and  mate  of  the  United 
States  brig  Sophia  both  Tick  with  fevers.  While 
he  was  waiting  here  with  great  impatience  for  their 
recovery,  he  received  information  from  the  Ameri 
can  conful  at  Marfeilles,  that  Mr.  Denaldfon  had 

concluded 


So  HISTORY  OF   ALGIERS, 

concluded  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  dey  of  Al 
giers.  He  judged  it  expedient,  notwithftano'ing,  that 
Mr.  Barlow  ihould  proceed  w'th  the  prefents,  and 
g  if  thev  were  not  wanted  at  Algiers  they  would  be  ^ 
neceffary  in  the  negociation  with  Tunis  and  Tri 
poli. 

Col.  Humphreys  failed  from  Havre-de-Grace 
about  the  5th  of  October,  and  after  a  ftormy  paf- 
iag<*  of  more  than  forty  days,  arrived  at  Lifbon  the 
l-yth  of  November,  where  he  found  captain  O'Bri 
en,  who  had  arrived  about  the  ift  of  October,  with 
the  treaty  with  Algiers.  Mr.  Donald  fon  arrived 
at  Algiers  on  the  3d  of  September  ;  the  treaty 
was  concluded  on  the  5th,  and  the  peace  prefents 
immediately  given  by  a  loan.  As  Mr.  Don  aid  fon 
knew  that  funds  had  been  lodged  in  London  to 
fulfil  the  ftipulations  of  the  treaty,  he  engaged  to 
make  the  payments  in  three  or  four  months. 

Col.  Humphreys  had  received  advice,  under  date 
of  the  3Oth  of  July,  from  the  MefTrs.  Barings  in 
London,  to  whom  the  funds  had  been  remitted, 
that  having  made  confiderahle  progrefs  in  the  fales 
of  the  United  States  (lock,  they  ihould  have  at  his 
difpofal  the  whole  of  the  value  of  800,000  dollars, 
meaning  to  furnifh,  by  anticipation,  the  value  of 
that  part  which  remained  unfold,,  if  the  iervice  of 
the  United  States  required  it.  Col.  Humphreys, 
calculating  upon  the  certainty  of  payment  after  this 
period,  fent  captain  O'Brien  from  Lifbon  to  Lon 
don  in  the  brig  Sophia  to  receive  the  money.  But 
owing  to  contrary  winds  he  did  not  leave  Lifbon 
till  the  24th  of  December. 

In  confequence   of  the  disappointments  in   the 
pecuniary  arrangements  the  treaty  was  in  the  rnofl 
imminent   danger  of    being  ultimately  fr uft rated.  ; 
tha  dey  beer? me  impatient,  and  threatened  to  aban 
don 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  Si 

don  it  ;  and  it   was  with  the  utmoft  difficulty  that 
it  was  prevented.     Mr.  Barlow   did    not  arrive  at 
Aiicant   until   February  1796,  where  he  propofed 
to  wait  the  arrival  of   the  funds  ;   but   (hortly  after 
receiving  intelligence  from  Algiers  that  the  Ame 
rican  negociation    was  in  a  moil   critical  fituation, 
he  determined  to  go  thither  immediately   with  the 
hopes  of  foo thing  the  dey.     He   arrived  there  the 
5th  of  March.     The  time  for  the  payment  of  the 
iiipulated  fums  had  before  been   prolonged    to   the 
8th   of  April.     On  the  3d   of  that  month   the  dey 
declared  that  his  final  determination  was,  that  Mr. 
Barlow   and    Mr.   Donald  ion  (liould  leave  Algiers 
in  eight  days;  and  if  the  money  was   not   paid    in 
30  days  after,  the  treaty  mould  be  at  end,  and  his 
coriairs  be  permitted  to  bring  in  American    veflels. 
Under  thefe   imperious   circumftances,  and  as  the 
lad  hope    of   laving  the  treaty,  they  were  induced 
to  otter   the  dey   the    prefent  of  a  frigate  ;   which 
fortunately  fucceeded.     But  Col.  Humphreys   con 
ceiving  himfelf  not  authorifed  to  confirm  this  pro- 
mife,  difpatched  captain   O'Brien    in  the   brig  So 
phia  to  America,  for   the    purpofe  of  referring  the 
matter  to  the    executive  of  the  United  States,  and 
obtaining  his    concurrence.      There  was  evidently 
no  alternative,  and  therefore  the  executive  was  un 
der    the   abfolute   neceflity  of    confirming  the  pro- 
mife.      This    frigite  *    was    built  in    Portfmouth, 
New-Hamp(hire,  and   in  conformity  to    promife  ir 
ihortly  to  be  fent  to  the  dey. 

While 

*  This  frigate  is  to  carry  36  guns,  is  iheathed  with 
copper,  and  intended  to  he  a  veflel  of  538  tons  burden. 
The  whole  coil  is  above  90,000  dollars.  She  was 
launched  \n  July  1797*  and  it -is  expefted  Ihe  will  ar 
rive  at  //Qiers  about  the  beginning  of  September  next. 


Bz  HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS, 

.While  the  bufinefs   was  in  this  precarious  fit  na 
tion,  owing  principally  to  the  can vul (ions  in  Europe^ 
Mr.  Donald  ion  fet  ouUfor  Leghorn,   where  he  pro-\ 
cured  a  loan  of  400,000  dollars  of  the  Meilrs.  Fon-  i 
nercau,and  as  that  port  was  blockaded  by  the  Britidi 
fleet,  Mr.  Donaldfon   obtained  permiffion  from  the 
court  of  Great  Britain  that  die  money  might  be  ex 
ported  from  thence  without  being  fubje6l  to  capture, 
and  it  was   foon  after   fent  in  a  Venetian  veffel  to 
Algiers. 

Captain  O'Brien  after  he  had  received  the  deter 
mination  of  the  executive,  fet  fail  from  Philadel 
phia  in  June  1796,  and  arrived  in  Lifbon  fornetime 
in  July.  In  the  meantime  Col.  Humphreys  had 
advantageoufly  negociated  bills  on  London  for 
225,000  dollars,  which  he  had  received,  and  this 
fum  was  embarked  on  board  the  brig  Sophia,  con- 
figned  to  the  care  of  captain  O'Brien.  This  mo 
ney  wasinfured  at  a  fmall  premium  againft  the  dan 
gers  of  the  feas  ;  bat  againft  all  rilks  ib  high  a  pre 
mium  was  demanded  that  Col.  Humphreys  judged  it 
inexpedient  to  give  it,  feeing  the  Sophia  was  a  veiTel 
of  the  United  States  having  a  fpecial  pafl'port  from 
the  Prefident,  as  well  as  one  in  the  Turkifh  lan 
guage  under  the  leal  of  the  dey  of  Algiers. 

On  the  4th  of  Auguft  capU  O'Brien  fet  fait  for 
Algiers,  and  on  the  iSth  he  was  captured  ofFthat  ci 
ty  by  a  Tripolitan  corfair,  who  carried  his  veiTel, 
money  and  crew  in  triumph  to  Tripoli,  (which  lies 
on  the  Mediterranean,  about  130  miles  to  the  fouth- 
eaftward  of  Algiers),  accompanied  by  the  fhip  Bet- 
fy  of  Bofton,  whofe  crew  were  made  flaves.  This 
immenfe  fum  in  fpecie,  more  perhaps  than  they 
had  ever  captured  at  once  before,  was  landed  arnidil 
the  firing  of  cannon,  the  clifplay  ©f  colours,  and  the 
fhouts  of  the  populace.  The  extravagance  of  their 

joy, 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  83 

joy,  however,  was  foon  abated  when  capt.  O'Brien 
exhibited  to  them  the  paflport  of  the  dey  of  Algiers  ; 
he  demonftrated  to  them  that  he  was  ftill  the  {lave 
of  the  dey,  and  though  the  money  had  been  deli 
vered  to  him  by  the  United  States,  yet  it  was  the 
the  lame  in  effed^  as  if  it  had  been  delivered  to  the 
dey  himfelf.  After  an  examination  of  two  days 
the  veflel  was  liberated,  and  capt.  O'Brien  immedi 
ately  let  fail  for  Algiers,  where  he  arrived  the  firft 
of  October,  and  delivered  the  money  to  the  Ameri 
can  conful  refiding  there;  who  had  previouily  pro 
cured  the  loan  of  the  neceflary  iums  from  the 
Meffrs.  Buckras,  a  Jevvi(h  company  in  Algiers,  who 
had  received  fatisfaclory  information  of  the  certain 
ty  of  repayment.  With  this  timely  loan  Mr.  Bar 
low  fulfil  led  his  ilinulations  with  the  dey,  who  was  ib 
highly  pleafed  with  the  prefent,  and  in  coniequence 
repoied  iuch  confidence  in  the  United  States,  that 
he  ottered  Mr.  Barlow  upon  their  account  the  loan 
of  fuch  fums  as  would  enable  him  to  ne^ociate  a 
treaty  of  peace  with  the  Tunifian  and  Tripolitan 
powers,  which  he  judged  proper  to  accept. 

By  the  judicious  arrangements  of  Mr.  Barlow 
with  the  dey,  capt.  O  Brien  was  appointed  com- 
miffioner  on  behalf  of  the  United  States  toriegoci- 
ate  a  treaty  with  the  regencies  of  Tunis  and  Tripo 
li.  He  fet  fail  upon  this  bufinefs  tbe  joth  of  O61c- 
ber,  and  arrived  at  Tunis  on  the  i6th,  where  he 
had  an  interview  with  the  bey,  to  whom  he  pieient- 
ed  a  letter  from  the  dey  of  Algiers,  enclofing  a 
command  that  hefhould  make  peace  with  the  Ame 
rican  cornrniffioner  upon  the  terms  therein  prefcri- 
bed.  But  the  bey  totally  rejected  the  terms,  and 
demanded  the  payment  of  a  fum  equal  to  thrice  that 
amount.  After  many  audiences  and  conferences, 
capU  O'Brien,  finding  that  the  bey  v/ould  neither 

accept 


84  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

acceptof  a  Icfs  fum,  nor  accede  to  the  terms  of  the 
dey,  transmitted  the  Tunifian  demand  to  Mr,  Bar 
low  in  Algiers,  which  he  communicated  to  the  dey, 
who  was  much  exafperated  in  coniequence,  and 
would  not  fufrer  him  to  acquiefce  in  fo  exorbitant  a 
demand. 

In   this  fltuation  capt.   O'Brien  left  the  Tunifian 
bufmefs,    and    proceeded    to   Tripoli,  where,  after 
much    difficulty,  he   concluded  a    peace   with    that 
power  upon  the  4th  of  November,  and  procured  the 
releafe  of  the  American  pri loners  who  were  captu 
red  in  the  (hip  Betfey.      He    left  captain  Jcfeph  In- 
graham,   the  American  charge  des  affaires,  in  that 
place,  and   failed  from  thence  the  271*1  of  Novem 
ber,  bringing  away  the  remaining  part  of  the  crew 
of    the   (hip    Betiey.     On   the    yth  of    December, 
in    his     return    to     Algiers,    lie  again  touched    at 
Tunis,  where  he  received  orders  from  Mr.  Barlow 
and  the  dey,  by  whom  he  had  been  invefled  with 
diicretionary  powers  to  conduct  the  negociation,  to 
demand  a  definitive  anfwer  from  the  bey  of  Tunis, 
whether  he  would  negociate  a  treaty  of  peace  with 
the  United  States  upon  the  terms  prefcribed  by  the 
dey?  but  he  found  that  the  bey  llill  perfifted  in  the 
exorbitancy    of    his    demands  ;    and     after    many 
conferences  and   fruitlefs  efforts  he  failed  from  Tu 
nis,  and  arrived  in  Algiers  the  ^d  of  January  1797, 
where  he  communicated   to  Mr.    Barlow   and    the 
dey    the    unfuccefsful   refult   of  his  miffion.     The 
dey  was  violently  enraged    at  the   infult  offered  to 
his  dignity  by  this  rejection  of   his    intcrceffion   in 
the  afrairs  of  the  United  States,  and   acluated    by 
feme  former  animofities  that  ftill  fubfifted  between 
them,    he  iffued   immediate   orders  to    his  eaftern 
cacnp  of  60,000  men  to   enter  the   Tunifian  terri- 
torv.     This  army  was  foon  fet   in   motion   to  en 
force 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  «s 

force  a  compliance  on  the  part  of  the  bey.  In  their 
rout  through  the  1  unifian  dominions  they  cut  off 
fome  hundreds  of  heads  and  ears,  and  after  commit 
ting  great  ravages  upon  the  inhabitants,  they  returned 
to  the  territory  of  Algiers.  This  harfh  expedient 
was  adopted  in  order  to  afcertain  the  political  dif- 
pofition  of  the  government  of  Tunis,  and  to  de 
cide  whether  they  would  fubmit  to  the  controul  of 
the  dey  ;  for  the  powers  relative  to  the  American 
pacification,  the  dey  exprefsly  declared,  were  un 
der  his  immediate  guarantee.  Capt.  Q'Brien,  by 
the  dey's  orders,  left  Algiers  the  J4th  of  February, 
and  arrived  in  Philadelphia  the  ift  of  April  1797. 

The  truce  which  Mr.  Barlow  concluded  with 
the  Tunifian  regency,  on  the  1 5th  of  ''June  1796, 
for  fix  months,  expired  on  the  i5th  of  December 
fol lowing.  This  truce  had  been  obtained  without 
any  preients,  by  Mr.  Famin  the  French  agent  at 
Tunis,  who  had  been  recommended  to  Mr.  Barlow 
by  the  French  conful  Herculais.  Since  its  ex 
piration  the  American  vefiels  have  been  fubjc£t 
to  capture  by  the  Tunifian  corfairs,  and  captain 
O'Brien,  in  his  publication  of  April  5th,  1757,  fays, 
"  I  now  tell  you  candidly,  that  no  American  vef- 
fel  fhould  enter  the  Mediterranean  until  our  peace 
with  all  the  Barbary  States  is  fully  eOablifhed,  and 
pubiifhed  by  the  authority  of  the  United  States." 
But  With  regard  to  the  Tunifian  negotiation,  little 
apprehenfion  is  entertained,  and  it  is  highly  proba 
ble  that  Mr.  Barlow,  through  the  powerful  in'terc'ef- 
flon  of  the  dey,  has  already  concluded  a  treaty 
with  that  government. 

At  the  conclufion  of  the  Algerine  treaty,  an 
•univerfal  joy  difFufed  itfelf  among  the  American 
prifoners,  and  they  triumphed  in  the  delight 
ful  anticipation  of  vifiting  their  native  fhores  again. 
H  They 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIEPxS. 

7 "h*y  had  long  been  the  vicuirs  of  the  mofl  c 
plicated  calamities,  and  become  familiar  with  tl'A 
gloomy  -proipedt  cf  dealh.  They  were  haunted^ 
with  the  difmal  apprehenfions  of  a  fervitucie  for 
life,  and  hope,  the  pleafing  illufion  that  giids  the 
dark  regions  of  adverfity,  iecmed  fled  for  ever. 
To  add  to  the  catalogue  of  their  miieries,  the 
plague  commenced  its  awful  vifitation  ;  many  of 
their  companions  fell  a  facrifice  to  this  dreadful 
contagion,  while  others  invoked  the  friendly  hand 
of  death  to  terminate  their  fufrerings  and  defpair. 
When  intelligence  of  the  treaty  was  announced,  the 
captives  indulged  the  animated  expectation  of  an 
immediate  deliverance,  and  the  fudden  tranfition 
from  fuch  a  dark  ftate  of  defpondence,  infpired 
^thern  with  the  mod  ineffable  joy.  But  the  fatal  delays 
occafioned  in  the  remittances  of  the  neceflary  fums 
endangered  the  exiftencc  of  the  treaty,  and  over 
clouded  the  pleafing  profpec^.  In  coniequence  of 
thefe  unfortunate  ci  clays,  which  were  principally 
owing  to  tho  convuhion-5  in  Kitope,  the  captives 
were  fti.  1  C'VihneJ  at  h.^rd  labor,r,  and  the  period 
of  their  mifcry  v.-as  unfortanafcly  protracted  from 
the  gth  of  September  \  ~  },  the  time  when  the  treaty 
was  formed,  till  the  c;h  ci"  July  following,  when 
the  (lipulated  payments  were  mace-  Mr,  Barlow 
then  paid  them  a  vifi'l  c  c  :.rs  at  labour, 

and  when  he  announced  the  pleafing  intelligence 
tothem,itwasfounsxpecbd  that  none  of  them  wouhl 
believe  him  ;  but  their  incredulity  deferted  them 
when  orders  were  prefentcd  icr  their  immediate 
appearance  before  the  ciey  ;  they  bade  an  eternal 
adieu  to  the  huge  ftones  of  Bublywhite,  and  imme 
diately  repaired  to  the  palace  with  every  demon- 
ftration  of  the  rncft  c:;:.\, \\.sant  joy;  where  they 
were  arraigned  in  the  dcy's  pr.e;ence,  who  fat  in 

ftatc, 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS  ?7 

tatc,  attended  by  the  caflan  aga,  or  prime  minif- 
ler,  the  aga  and  other  officers  of  government. 
After  a  (liort  pauie,  the  head  clerk  preferred  each 
captive  with  a  Ttfcoret,  or  paflport,  and  informed 
them  tUcv  were  at  liberty  to  make  immediate  pre 
parations  for  their  return  home.  Forty-eight  Nea 
politans  were  liberated  at  the  fame  time  ;  one  of 
whom,  in  a  tranfport  of  joy,  proftrated  himfelf  be 
fore  the  dey  and  killed  his  hands  and  feet  ;  but  the 
Americans,  who  were  not  quite  fo  fervilc,  repaired 
with  all  expedition  to  the  port  of  the  marine,  and 
embarked  on  board  the  iliip  La  Fortune,  which  had 
been  chartered  for  them  by  the  MciTrs.  Buckras, 
for  the  purpofe  cf  conveying  them  to  Marfeiiies. 

The  original  number  of  the  Americans  was  now 
reduced  to  85.  Many  of  them  died  with  the 
plague,  a  few  with  the  fmall  pox,  and  others  with 
the  feverity  of  the  labour  which  had  been  impofed 
upon  them.  Captain  Wallace  cf  Richmond  met 
with  an  untimely  death  as  he  was  leaning  againft  the 
banniflers  of  an  ancient  building,  which  gave  wav, 
and  he  fell  from  aconfiderablc  height  into  the  ftrcet, 
where  he  inftantly  expired.  The  plague  ra^ed  with 
fuch  violence  when  the  captives  left  Algiers  that  five 
of  them  died  within  a  few  weeks  previous  to  their 
departure  ;  another  who  was  attacked  by  that  fatal 
malady  was  left  behind,  and  many  others  had  their 
conftitutions  much  injured  by  the  difordcr.  One  of 
them  was  in  a  ftate  of  total  blindnefs,  and  another 
was  rendered  nearly  fo.  Three  of  them  carried  the 
marks  of  unmerciful  treatment,  in  ruptures  produ 
ced  by  hard  labour  ;  fevcral  of  them  were  render 
ed  incapable  of  gaining  their  living,  and  confe- 
quently  are  objetts  of  the  benevolence  of  their 
countrymen. 

Mr.  Barlow  was  fully  fcnfihle  of  the  necefTity  of 

their 


83  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

their  immediate  removal  from  this  moft  wretched  of 
all  conceivable  abo'des,  and  was  juftly  appreben\ 
five  that  they  could  not  be  embarked  without  fome* 
Ganger  of  the  infection.  After  his  arrival  he  was 
moil  iedulotilly  employed  in  effecting  their  delive- 
jance,  and  by  his  benevolence,  which  was  ever  ex 
tended  to  the  captives,  their  condition  was  render 
ed  more  tolerable,  till  the  final  obtainment  of  their 
liberty.  To  this  worthy  charafter,  who/e  heart 
vibrated  with  their  finer  feelings  of  philanthropy, 
\vhile  his  life  \vasin  imminent  danger,  the  moft  ar-* 
dent  tribute  of  gratitude  is  due,  and  the  captives 
fpeak  in  terms  of  the  warmed  affection  for  his  uni 
form  exertions  in  reicuing  them  from  this  region  of 
horror. 

After  preparing  the  neceffary  articles  for  their 
voyage,  the  Americans  fet  fail,  with  the  48  Neapo 
litans,  in  the  (Lip  La  Fortune,  under  the  command 
of  cant.  Calder,  and  foon  bade  an  eternal  adieu  to 
the  land  of  bondage. 

While  thefe  things  were  tranfa&ing,  the  Alge- 
rines  were  profecuting  their  piracies  againft  vari 
ous  maritime  powers  in  Europe.  An  attempt  at  ne- 
j;ociation  between  the  "  invincible  militia"  and  Por 
tugal  was  inftituted  in  November  1793,  and  a  Por- 
tugnefe  frigate  was  difpatched  to  Algiers  upon  this 
bufinefs.  The  terms  prefcribed  by  the  dey  were, 
1,200,000  Mexican  dollars  for  the  treafury  ; 
600,000  dollars  for  the  voice  of  the  dey,  and  the 
great  officers  of  the  regency,  arnbaffadorial  and  con- 
fular  prefents,  equal  to  what  Spain  gave  ;  and  the 
payment  of  150,000  dollars  for  the  redemption  of 
75  Portuguefe  captains.  With  thefe  nropofitions 
the  Portuguefe  frigate  fet  fail  from  Algiers  the  yth 
of  November,  and  arrived  at  Lifbon  foon  after. 
But  upon  further  confideration  the  dey  was  not  fatis- 

fied 


HISTORY    OF   ALGIERS.  H9 

fied  with  this  fum,  and  the  next  day  he  defired  capt. 
Logie,  an  Engluh  agent,  to  write  to  Portugal  that 
he  demanded  600,000  dollars  for  his  family  and 
friends,  in  addition  to  what  he  had  previouily  ex- 
prefTed.*  Thefe  terms  were  of  courfe  never  compli 
ed  with,  and  the  Portuguefe  and  Algerians  ftill 
continue  in  a  ftate  of  warfare. 

The  Dutch  truce  expired  on  the  lothof  December 
1793.  But  a  peace  was  concluded  in  April  follow 
ing,  and  all  the  Dutch  prisoners  were  liberated, 
The  principal  powers  with  which  the  Algerines  are 
now  at  war,  are  the  Portugueie  and  the  Pope. 
They  declared  war  againft  the  republic  of  Venice 
on  the  26th  of  October  1796,  the  iilue  of  which 
we  have  not  heard.  But  with  France,  Spain,  Eng 
land  and  America  they  now  are  at  peace. 

About  the  beginning  of  1796?  the  -affairs  of  the 
Danes  a  (Turned  a  very  difafterous  complexion.  One 
of  the  Neapolitan  cruifers  had  taken  a  Danifh  vef- 
fel  freighted  with  300  Turks,  who  were  bound  from 
the  Levant  to  Algiers.  Thefe  Turks  were  carried 
to  Naples,  where  they  were  made  Haves  ;  which  i'o 
exafperated  the  dey,  that  he  iifued  immediate  or 
ders  for  the  capture  of  Danifh  veffeis,  and  thirteen. 
fail  were  (hortly  after  brought  into  Algiers,  where 
they  were  obliged  to  lie  for  four  months,  till  the 
Da  nidi  government  had  negociated  the  ranfom  of 
the  300  Turks  :  after  which  the  Danes  were  libc> 
H  2  rated  ; 

*  The  above  terms  were  fet  forth  ;n  a -letter  of  capt, 
O'Brien,  dated  at  Algiers,  the  aBth  of  November  1793. 
When  the  American  captives  were  ia formed  that  capt. 
O'Brien  had  publiihed  this  excrbicant  demand  upon  the 
Portuguefc,  they  were  highly  oifcnded,  and  arraigned  tin-! 
precipitancy  of  the  publication  ;  becaafe  fuch  diicour'ag- 
iag  terms  would  have  a  tciidcncy  to  retard*  if  not  t;:  • 
frullrate,  their  raniotK. 


9,o  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

rated  ;  but  their  cargoes,  which  confined  chiefly  of 
perifhable  articles,  were  moftly  deftroyed. 

About  the  beginning  cf  1.795,  upwards  of  2oA 
Corficanswere  captured  as  they  were  feeking  for  co^ 
ral  off  the  Barbary  coafts.  While  they  were  bufily 
employed  in  a  number  of  fifhing  beats,  under  con 
voy  of  an  En  glim  brig*,  two  French  frigates  hove 
in  fight,  and  foon  after  a  fmart  engagement  took 
place  between  the  French,  and  the  Englifh  brig  ;  but 
ihe  was  foon  captured,  and  the  Corfican  boats  fled 
for  refuge  to  the  Barbary  fhore  near  Conftantina, 
where  they  were  all  kidnapped  by  the  Moors, 
and  taken  to  Algiers,  where  they  were  made  Haves. 
After  they  had  arnufed  themfelves  among  the  rocks 
of  Bubly  white  for  about  a  year,  Mr.  North  was  fe.nt 
.  as  Britifh  agent  to  negociate  their  ranfom,  and  he 
procured  their  liberty  upon  the  payment  of  about 
120,000  dollars,  befides  the  promife  of  an  armed 
yeflel, 

Some  time  in  September  1796,  the  Englifh  fent 
hi  a  French  xebeck  of  inconfiderable  value,  lately 
made  a  prize,  which  difpleafed  the  dey  fo  much 
that  he  ordered  her  immediately  out  cf  the  port. 
The  commanders  of  two  Englifh  frigates  which  then 
Jay  off*  the  harbour,  highly  refenting  this  piece  of 
conduct,  hauled  their  veflels  clofe  in  under  the  cafrle 
on  the  mole,  and  prepared  to  pour  a  broad  fide  into 
the  city.  When  the  dey  obferved  thefe  preparations, 
he  was  thrown  into  the  moft  violent  confternaticn  ; 
the  ilaves  were  immediately  ordered  to  clear  away 
the  lumber  in  the  caftle,  and  to  get  the  guns  in  rea- 
dinefs  for  defence.  At  the  fame  time  the  fleet  of 
Admiral  Jervis,  confiding  of  25  fail  of  the  line 

was 

*  It  mud  be  remembered  here  that  Corfica  was  one  of 
the  pearls  in  his  Britfti  Majefry's  crown  ;  but  it  was  after* 
wards  evacuated  by  the  Britiftv 


HISTORY  OF    ALGIERS.  91 

was  cruifing  off  the  harbour,  and  from  this  force, 
the  dey  exped^ed  nothing  lefs  than  the  total  deftruc- 
tion  of  Algiers.  At  this  critical  juncture  he  made 
application  to  Mr.  Barlow  to  ufe  his  influence  with 
the  Britifh  commanders,  to  diiTuade  them  from  their 
defigns,  and  after  distributing  fome  prefents  to  a 
confiJerable  amount  among  the  officers  of  the  fri 
gates,  they  hauled  off  ta  a  diftance,  and  did  not 
put  their  defign  in  execution. 

In  the  beginning  of  June  179$,  a  moil  bloody 
and  obllinate  battle  was  fought  near  Corfica,  be 
tween  an  Algerine  rover  of  34.  guns  and  two  Nea 
politan  frigates  of  20  guns  each,  in  conjunction  with 
one  of  the  Pope's  garda  coftas,  of  10  guns  and  a 
number  of  fwivels.  The  a6Hon  lafted  from  ten 
o'clock  in  the  morning  till  four  in  the  afternoon 
without  intermiifion,  and  the  combatants  were  for 
the  greateft  part  of  the  time  within  piilol  (hot  of 
each  other.  The  cor  fair  fought  un  Jer  the  bloody 
flag,  and  rode  the  greateft  part  of  the  time  between 
an  incelTant  and  well  directed  fire,  which  cutaway 
almoft  all  her  rigging,  and  made  terrible  havoc 
among  her  crew  ;  yet  the  ruffians  fought  with  the 
utmofl  fury  and  defperation,  and  attempted  feveral 
times  to  board  their  enemies;  but  were  repulfed  with 
great  lofs.  In  the  heat  of  the  engagement  all  the 
officers  were  killed,  and  the  captain  had  both  his 
legs  carrried  away  by  a  chain  fhot,  as  he  was  firing  a 
blunderbufs  ;  yet  the  barbarian  ilill  refufed  to  be 
taken  from  the  deck,  and  died  while  he  was  giving 
the  word  of  command.  This  lofs  did  not  in  the 
lead  intimidate  the  furious  crew,  who  fwore  they 
would  not  fubmit  while  a  {ingle  man  exifted.  The 
Chriilians  difplayed  equal  fury  during  the  whole 
conflict,  aad  were  to  a  man  determined  either  to 
conquer  or  die.  Unfortunately  one- of  the  frigates 

which 


92  HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS* 

which  made  the  greateft  impreflipn  upon  the  corfair, 
blew  up  with  a-  tremendous  explofion,  and   mofl  or\ 
the  crew  perifhed. 

In  a  fhort  time  another  difafter  occurred.  The 
Pope's  cruifer,  after  a  gallant  refrftance,  was  funk 
by  the  enemy's  (hot.  The  crew  of  the  remaining 
frigate  were  then  obliged  to  tow  her  away  ;  while 
the  corfair  lay  like  a  log  upon  the  water,  with  her 
fare  and  mairi-mafts  carried  away  by  the  board,  and 
her  hull  fo  much  lliattered  that  the  funk  (hortly  af 
ter  the  aflion. 

On  the  1  3th  cf  July  following  the  American 
prifoners  fet  fail  from  Algiers,  and  on  the  I9th 
they  arrived  ofF  Marfeilles,  where  they  were  cbli* 
ged  to  ride  quarantine  for  80  days  ;  afler  which 
they  were  permitted  to  go  or\Jhore  at  that  city, 
where  Stephen  CaUlon,  jun.  the  American  conful, 
provided  a  Swedifh  bark  for  their  tranfportation 
to  America,  and  procured  each  of  them  a  fuit  of 
clothes,  beiid^s  an  allowance  of  ^  cents  aiday  for 
their  fubfiftence.  Fourteen  of  their  number  enter 
ed  ©a  board  of  an  American  (hip  at  Marfeilles,  to 
go  on  a  trading  voyage  up  the  Mediterranean,  and 
a  few  were  detained  by  fickncfs-  Capt.  Penrofe, 
who  came  with  them  from  Algiers,  went  to  AH- 
cant  at  the  requeft  of  Mr..  Montgomery,  the  Ame 
rican  conful  who  refided  there,  to  take  charge  of  a 
vetfe!  intended  to  piy  between  that  place  and 
Philadelphia  ;  but  (he  not  being  ready,  captain 
Penrofe  returned  from  thence  in  another  veffel,  arid 
landed  at  Botlon. 

The  remainder  of  the  captives,  after  a  refidence 
of  20  days  at  Marfeilles,  fet  fail  for  the  port  of 
Philadelphia  on  the  1  2th  of  November,  in  compa 
ny  with  the  two  fons  of  the  duke  of  Orleans,  and" 
after  a  paffage  of  near  three  months,  they  arrived 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  93 

at  Marcus  Hook,  where  the  veffel  was  detained  by 
the  ice  which  was  then  in  the  Delaware.  On  the 
Sth  of  February  1797,  they  were  brought  to  Phi 
ladelphia  in  carriages,  eicorted  by  many  hundreds 
of  their  fellow  citizens  who  went  out  to  meet  them. 
Upon  their  arrival  at  the  Indian  Queen  tavern, 
the  ilreets  were  fo  thronged  as  to  render  their 
paflage  difficult,  and  as  they  entered  the  houfe, 
an  ardent  acclamation  exprefied  the  iatisfa&ion  of 
the  people  at  their  return.  Thole  wiio  had  friends 
in  the  city  to  provide  for  them,  retired  to  receive 
their  congratulations  ;  but  it  has  been  reported  by 
iome  of  the  captives,  that  thofe  who  were  not  fo 
fortunately  accommodated,  were  left  entirely  deili- 
tute  to  wander  the  Greets  of  the  city,  at  that  incle 
ment  feafon  of  the  year,  without  friends,  or  a  {in 
gle  cent  to  provide  for  their  fubfiftence.  If  this  be 
true,  it  reflects  a  difhcnor  upon  the  humanity  of 
our  government,  that  thefe  unfortunate  men  fliould 
be  refcued  from  the  regions  of  mifery  to  ftarvc  in  a 
land  of  freedom. 

It  muft  infpire  the  breads  of  the  Americans  with 
great  regret  and  mortification,  when  they  reflecl: 
upon  the  exorbitant  fums  of  money  that  have  been 
expended  in  the  negotiation  of  the  Algerine  treaty, 
befides  the  annual  payment  to  the  dey  of  12,000 
Algerine  fequins  *  in  maritime  Mores,  according  to 
the  laft  article  of  the  treaty  ;  and  their  mortification 
will  not  be  diminifhed  when  they  reflect,  that  they 
have  now  become  the  tributaries  of  a  ci-devant  Tur- 
ki(h  foldier  !  This  additional  weight  to  the  Ame 
rican  taxation,  which  had  before  encreafed  in  a 
rapid  progrellion,  is  not  the  moft  comfortable  re 
flection, 

*  The  value  of  the  Algerine  fequin  (pronounced  flekeen) 
is  1.963  dollar:  or  i  dollar  96  cent*  and  3  mills. 


HISTORY   OF    ALGIERS. 

fl-filon,  and  would  almoft  induce  one  to  arraign  trie 
negocUtion  as  highly  impalitie,were  there  not  a  dan\ 
ger  of  incurring  the  imputation  of  a  want  of  huma-\ 
nity,  It  is,  however,  very  problematical  whether 
the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  the  Mediterra 
nean  trade  will  ever  compenfatc  for  the  expenditure 
of  thefe  enormous  furns  ;  and  it  feems  rather  un- 
juft  that  the  great  burden  of  guaranteeing  this  trade 
fbojld  reft  upon  the  (boulders  of  the  people,  while 
its  benefits  refult  to  a  few  individuals,  who  ought 
perhaps  to  fupport  this  branch  of  commerce  unc£er 
the  fraction  of  infiuance. 

I  have  thought  proper,  in  order  to  reprefent 
the  Algerine  negociation  in  a  mare  comprehenfive 
pjint  of  view,  to  fubjoin  an  efUrnjte  of  the  pecu 
niary  difburfements,  and  the  feveral  CDrrefponden- 
ces  i hat  have  taken  place  in  this  buiinefs,  accor 
ding  to  the  following  reports. 

REPORTS  of  the  SECRETARY  of  STATE  and  of 
the  SECRETARY  of  the  TREASURY,  relative  to  the 
late  Negotiation  with  the  Dey  and  Regency^  of 
ALGIERS.* 

To  the  Prefident  of  the  United  States,  the  Secre 
tary  of  State  refpeilfully  makes  the  following 
brief  reprefentation  of  the  affairs  of  the  United 
Slates,  in  relation  to  Algiers  *. 

Such  arrangements  have  been  made  by  Meffrs. 
Barlow  and  Donaldfon  at  Algiers  and  Leghorn,  as 
will  doubtlefs  enfure  the  payment  of  the  400,000 
dollars,  originally  expe&ed  from  the  latter  place  ; 

and 

*  It  will  not  be  necelTary  to  give  the  firft  part  of  this 
Report  relative  to  the  hiitory  of  the  negociation,  as  that 
has  been  before  fully  related. 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS-  95- 

and  the  farce  houfe  has  become  engaged  to  the  Dey 
and  Regency  for  the  reiidue  of  the  n.cney  due  as 
the  price  of  peace;  without  which  he  would  not 
agree  to  the  rederrpticn  tf  the  captives.  'I  i;e 
Secretary  of  the  Trtaiuiy  efHrrates  thefe  further 
furos  (o  be  provided,  to  fulfil  the  terms  of  the  trea 
ty,  at  -  Dels.  255,759 

For  two  years  annuity  to  the  dey,  56,246 

To  which  are  to  be  added  the  10,000 
fequins  prcmifed  by  Meflrs  Barlow  and 
Donaidfon  mentioned  in  their  letter*  l8,x:oo 

And  the  expences  of  the  captives  while 
performing  quarantine  at  Marfeilles,  and 
for  tranfporting  them  to  America  ;  eltirra- 
tcd  by  the  conful  at  Marfeilles  at  about  6,500 

Dels.   576,505 

(Signed)          TIMOTHY  PICKERING, 

Secry  of  State. 
DEPARTMENT  of  STATE, 
Jan.  6,   1797. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Treafury,  In  obedience  to 
directions  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  refpe£tfully  rrakes  the  following  repre- 
ientaticn  refpecHrg  the  application  of  the  fund 
defiined  for  the  execution  of  the  treaty  with  Al 
giers. 

In  purfuance  cf  an  ?,cl  paiTed  the  2ift  day  of  Fe 
bruary  1795*  ^e  il:IT1  ^  8oo,coo  cellars  \vas  bor 
rowed  of  the  Bank  cf  the  United  Spates,  which 
Mas  paid  in  6  per  cent,  fleck.  A  ccnviclicn  of 
the  urgency  of  the  cafe,  and  a  difpofiticn  to  accom 
modate  the  government,  alone  induced  the  bank 


to 


96  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS/ 

to  confent  to  the  loan,  as  the  flock  was  then  fal\- 
able  in  large  quantities  at  par,  including  interefK 
Bills  of  exchange  were  not  readily  obtainable,  ancfl 
the  fudden  exportation  of  fo  considerable  a  fum  of 
fpecie  would  have  been  attended  with  inconvenient 
effects.  Indeed  no  alternative  offered  but  to  re 
nounce  the  negociation,  or  to  remit  flock  as  a 
fund. 

Various  caufes  co-operated  to  caufe  a  depreflion 
of  the  prices  of  all  kinds  of  public  flock,  foon  af 
ter  the  remittances  had  been  made. 

The  rates  at  which  the  iales  have  been  made  are 
as  follows  1 

£.       s.  d.         Dots,  cts* 
560,000  dols.  fold  for  fieri.  111^053   ij  o 
240)000  remained   unfold 

at   the    date    of 

the  lateft  advices, 

which    may    be 

eftimated  at  80 

per  cent,  or  43,200  oo  o 

800,000  dollars  in  ftock 
will  therefore  pro 
duce  in  fterling 
money  *54>?>53  I5  o 

• =  685,572.  2Z 

Of  the  fum  of  305,911  dollars  37  cents, 
appropriated  for  treaties  with  the  Mediterra 
nean  powers,  by  the  aft  of  May-  jift,  1796, 
there  was  eftimated,  for  a  deficiency  on  ac* 

of  the  treaty  with  Algiers>  the  fum  of    51*132. 


The  whole  of  the  grants  for  the  AJgerine 
treaty  may  therefore  be  confidered  as  equal 
to  an  effefUve  fund  in  London  of  Dels.  736,704.  22 


The 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS.  97 

Dolx.    cfs. 

The  expcnces  of  carrying  the^  treaty  into 
effecl  are  eftimated  at  '  525,000.  oo 

To  which  are  to  be  added,  agreeably  to 
Mr.  Donaldfon's  calculation,  for  per  centage 
on  the  captives  27,000,  oo 

Other  expences,  -  0,0,000.  GO 


Amount  of  money  to  be  paid  in  Algiers,     642,000.  oo 

The  expence  of  remitting  the  f  urn  la ft  mention 
ed,  from  London  to  Algiers,  according  to  the  beft 
eftimate  which  can  he  formed,  w ill  be  as  follows  : 

/.      s.  d.          Dots.  cts. 

140,000  dols.  procured  at  Leg 
horn,  by  bills  on  Lon 
don,  coft  4/1 0,5  5- 1  co 
fterling  per  dollar,  or 
fterling  34*110  o  o 

260,000  dols.  expected  to  be 

obtained  at  5/ will  be  65,000  o  o 


99, i jo  o  0=440,488.  88 
40,000  dollars    remitted    to 

Hamburgh,  coft  fieri.  7,200   18  £—  40,013.04 
225,000  dols.  procured  at  Lif- 
bon,  for  which  drafts 
have   been  pafTed  for 
fterling  .50,007   16  0=1222,256.  89 

665,000  dollars  placed  in  Leghorn,  Ham 
burgh,  and  Lifhon,  and  fuppofed 
to  be  fbfficient  to  difcharge  the  pe 
cuniary  obligations  of  the  treaty, 
will  probably  coft  702,758.  81 

Payments  made  to  Col;  Humphreys,  fter- 

'i.s:  £'3>tf*  °  o 

i  ay  merit  to  cspf.  O  Encn,  3100 

5,502  o  c=  T5j,r^4'  44- 


\ 


93  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

The  naval  (lores  fiipulated  by  Mr.  Do- 
naldfon  were  eftimated  at  57,000  dollars,  but 
which,  agreeably  to  his  enumeration  of  the 
articles,  will  ccft,  according  to  the  eftimate 
of  the  purveyor,  124,415.  oa 

The  freight  of  the  faid  (lores  is  computed 
at  -  5o;oco.  oo 

The  expence  of  the  frigate  lately  promifed, 
agreeably  to  the  eflimate  of  the  Secretary  at 
War,  will  be  -  99>727*  °° 


The  whole  expence  of  fulfilling  the  treaty 
according  to  the  eftimate,  therefore,  is  992,446.25 

From  which  fum  the  effedive  value  of 
the  provifions  already  made  being  deducted, 
as  before  eftimated,  736*704.  22 

There  will  remain  to  be  provided,    Dols.  255,759.03 

By  the  laft  article  of  the  treaty,  the  United  States  are 
bound  to  pay  an  annuity  of  12,000  Algerine  fequins  in 
maritime  iiores ;  the  coft  and  freight  of  the  articles  requir 
ed  by  the  dey,  for  the  two  firfl  years'  annuity,  will,  agree 
ably  to  the  purveyor's  eftiraate,  be  Dols.  144,246.  63 

From  which  the  appropriations  made  by 
the  aft  of  May  6th,  1796,  for  two  years, 
being  deduded,  48,000.  oo 

There  will  remain  to  be  provided  on  this 
account  the  fum  of  Dols.  96,246.  63 


(Signed)  OLIVER  WOLCOTT,  jun. 

Sccry  of  the  Treafury. 

TREASURY  DEPARTMENT, 
7*71.4,  1797. 


An 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  99 

An  Eflimatc  of  the  probable  coil  of  the  articles  of 
the  Algerine  treaty. 

£•  s.  a. 

500  barrels  of  powder,  at  ^.15  is    7>5°°  o  6 

66  tons  of  lead,  at  £ '.40  2,640  o  o 

20,030  cannon  ball,  at  ^.276       -          2,760  o  o 

5,000  double  headed  (hot  -  590  o  o 

200  pieces  of  canvafs  1,100  o  o 

2,000  gun  barrels,  2,000  c  o 

50  marts,  at  /\ioo  5>ooo  o  o 

loo  fpars,  at  ^.40  4,000  o  o 

10  cables,  and  cordage  45   tons, 

at  £.135  10,575  o  o 

300  pine  and  oak  plank,  6  inches 

thick  and  50  feet  long  9,000  o  o 

2,000  barrels  tar  -  200  o  o 

200  pieces  of  fcantlirag  540  o  o 

roo  barrels  of  pitch  -  150  o  o 

10  cannon,  &c.  -  500  o  o 

£.46,655  o  o 


Equal  to  -  Dots.    124,413.00 

(Signed)  TENCH  FRANCIS, 

Purveyor. 
sgth  December,  1796. 

An  Eftimate  of  the  fum  neceOTary  to  build  and 
equip  a  frigate,  to  carry  36  guns  for  the  dey  of 
Algiers.  To  which  is  added  an  eftimate  of  na 
vigating  the  fame  to  Algiers* 

Do  Is.  cts* 

Carpenter's  bill  for  building  the  hull, 
launching  the  fame,  together  with  a 
complete  fet  of  mails  and  yards,  per 
ton,  dols.  45,  is  24,210.  oo 


ioo          HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS. 

Joiners,  frniths,  plumbers,  boat- 
builders,  carvers,  coopers,  block-ma 
kers,  fail-makers,  riggers  and  rigging, 
with  thip-chandier's  bill,  dols.  55,  29,590.  oo 

Ship  complete,  of  538  tons,  at  ico 

dollars  per  ton,  is  53,800.  oo 

Copper  fheathing,                   -  4,118.40 

Cannon,                            -  8,428.  60 

Copper,  pintles  and  braces,  1,240.  oo 
Powder,  fhot, and  other  military  (^0^5,13,551.  oo 
Forty  men,  including  officers,  their 

pay  and   fubfiftence  for  five  months,  8,589.  oo 

Contingencies.                  -  10,000.  oo 


Dols.     99,727.00 

(Signed)  JAMES  M'HENRY. 

WAR-OFFICE,  26 tk  Dec.  1796. 

In  the  execution  of  the  bufmefs  with  which  Baring 
and  Co.  have  beert  entrufted,  they  have  com 
municated  to  Mr.  Pinckney,  from  time  to  time? 
every  material  circumftance  whioh  has  occurred  ; 
but  as  the  prefent  pofition  is  extremely  critical 
and  important,  they  will  endeavor  to  Rate  as  con- 
cife  a  narrative  as  poflible  from  the  commence 
ment  of  the  bufinefs,  for  the  confideration  and 
determination  of  Mr.  King.. 

March  7,  1795-  The  Prefident  of  the  Bank  re 
mit  to  Baring  and  Co.  800,000  dollars  in  certi- 
tificates  of  6  per  cent  Mock,  with  orders  to  fell  the 
fame  without  caufing  a  depreffion  in  the  prices,  and 
thus  injuring  the  credit  of  American  funds.  The  net 
proceeds,  after  deducting  the  ufual  cornmiiTions,  are 
to  be  held  Lit  the  difpofal  of  CoL  David  Humphreys  ; 

aod 


HISTORY  &V>t  A  LC  I £  R  S.         i<> 1 

sinct  we  are  dire&ed  to  inform  Col.  Humphreys  of 
the  progrefs  we  may  make,  from  time  to  time,  in  the 
fales  of  the  (lock,  and  alfo  of  the  terms  upon  which 
remittances  can  be  made  to  Cadiz  or  Leghorn. 
This  contains  nearly  the  whole  of  our  orders,  or  at 
lea;!  the  whole  of  what  we  conceive  to  be  neceffary 
for  the  information  of  Mr.  King,  in  the  preient 
moment  ;  the  farther  letters  from  America  being  al- 
moft  wholly  anfwers  to  our  numerous  letters,  and  do 
not  contain  a  fyllable  of  difapprobation  with  regard 
to  our  conduct,  but  the  reverie. 

March  31.  Col.  Humphrey  writes  from  Philadel 
phia,  that  we  would  f'miifh  h'm  with  information, 
afiiilance,  &c.  directed  to  him  at  Lifbon. 

April  28.   We   wrote    very   fully   to  CoL  Hum 
phreys,  communicating   every   information  relative 
-to  the   probable  fale  of  the  (lock,  and  the   various 
means  by  which    he  could  execute  his   comrniffioa 
through  London, Cadiz, Lifbon, and  Italy  in  general. 

May  19.  We  wrote  ftill  more  fully,  in  anfwer  to 
his  letter  of  the  31!}  March,  wherein  we  offered  to 
anticipate  a  coniiderable  fum,  on  the  value  of  the 
;i3  in  our  hands,  for  which  there  was  no  demand 
at  the  moment.  We  explained  to  him  the  value  of 
the  Italian  coin,  thofe  of  Spain  being  well  known  ; 
mentioning  that  it  was  eafier  to  procure  money  at 
Leghorn,  where  there  was  no  refhaint,  than  at  Ca 
diz  where  dollars  were  mere  plentiful,  but  the  ex 
portation  was  exclufively  in  the  bank  of  St.  Charles, 
from  whom  it  was  difficult  to  obtain  permiffion. 
That  we  could  procure  any  quantity  in  London  :  to 
which  we  added  the  names  of  our  correfpondents  at 
the  different  places,  offering  every  fcrvice  in  our 
power,  dlrecl  or  indirect. 

May  18.  Col,  Humphreys  advifea  his  arrival  nt 
Gibraltar. 

I   2  July 


j-32  HISTOR' 

July  2i«  We  advife  Colonel  Humphreys  that  W.G 
had  fold,  300,000  dollars  : — that  we  were  ready  t\ 
pay  1 00,000  >  to  his  order  ;  and  if  he  wanted  a  furJ 
ther  fum,  we  defired  to  be  informed. 

July  27.  Colonel  Humphrey  direfts  us  to  pay 
40,000  dollars  to  Mr.  Deas,  for  Mr.'  Andrews, 
which  was  immediately  complied  with,  by  a  credit 
on  Hamburgh,  for  that  value. 

July  30.  We  inform  Colonel  Humphreys  that 
having  made  further  progrefs  in  our  fales,  we  fhould 
hold  the  whole  of  the  value  of  the  800,000  dollars 
at  his  difpofal  I  meaning  to  furnifh,  by  anticipation, 
the  value  of  that  part  which  remained  at  that  time 
unfold,  if  the  iervice  of  the  United  States  requi 
red  it. 

November  28.  Is  the  next  letter  from  Colonel 
Humphreys,  and  the  commencement  of  our  diffi 
culties  ; — lie  informs  us,  that  he  fhould  fend  the 
Sophia,  for  the  purpofe  of  receiving  Portugal  gold 
and  Sp.Hnih  dollars,  in  London,  to  the  amount  of 
650,000  Spanifh  dollars.  He  further  opens  credit 
in  favour  of  Ivleffrs.  Dohrrnan,  of  Lifbon,  which 
from  the  fearcity  of  paper  at  the  time  was  effected 
to  a  very  trifling  amount. 

This  letter  was  followed  and  confirmed  by  others 
from  Colonel  Humphreys,  dated  the  i6th,  22d,  and 
24th  December,  of  a  fimilar  tenor,  or  very  nearly  fo, 
and  the  Arrival  of  the  brig  Sophia  from  Lifbon. 

Although  Col.  Humphreys  has  not  mentioned  to 
us  the  reaibns  of  this  proceeding,  we  may  impute  it 
to  the  advice  contained  in  our  letter  of  the  jgth 
May,  and  indeed  the  well  known  facility  with 
which  a  iumof  that  defcription  could  be  procured  in 
London,  of  Spanifh  dollars,  having  ourfelves  never 
experienced  (he  leaft  difficulty  in  difappointments 
for  large  fums. 

December 


H I  S  TD  R  Y  OF  ALGIERS.          103 

December  22.  We  anfwered  thefe  letters,  advi- 
fmg  Colonel  Humphreys  of  the  impoflibility  to  pro 
cure  Portugal  gold,  none  having  been  received 
for  many  years,  Of  the  extraordinary  turn  which 
had  appeared  with  regard  to  bullion,  in  confe- 
quence  of  the  immenfe  drains  upon  this  country,  for 
carrying  on  the  war,  and  which  has  finally  compel 
led  the  minifier  to  abandon  his  favorite  project  of  a 
fecond  loan  to  the  emperor  ;  but  as  the  difficulty  had 
only  be^un  to  appear,  we  hoped  that  with  Tome  de 
lay  >  we  fhould  be  able  to  collect  the  dollars  for  the 
purpofe  of  executing  the  orders  of  Col.  Hum 
phreys. 

Jan.  17,  1796.  Finding  it  impoffible  to  procure 
gold,  and  no  -filver  arriving,  we  Submitted  the 
whole  of  the  orders  and  correfpondence  to  Mr. 
Pinckney  ;  when  it  was  determined  to  purchafe  fuch 
iilver  as  might  arrive  ;  but,  at  all  events,  to  detain 
the  Sophia,  which  could  not  be  wrong,  as  the  weft- 
€rly  winds  would  have  prevented  her  failing. 

In  the  mean  while  we  wrote  to  Meffrs.  Paiifh  and 
Co.  of  Hamburgh,  to  know  whether  Portugal  gold 
or  Spanifh  dollars  could  be  obtained  in  that  place. 

January  19,  26 — February  2,  12.  Are  letters 
we  wrote  to  Colonel  Humphreys.,  wherein  we  ac 
quaint  him  with  our  profpc&s,  from  time  to  time, 
that  Pari'h  and  Co.  gave  us  reafon  to  hope  for  the 
execution  of  a  part  of  the  order,  but  that  no  filver 
hud  arrived  in  London. 

February  16-  Having  determined,  with  the  ap 
probation  of  Mr.  Pinckney,  to  fend  the  Sophia  to 
Hamburg,  in  confequence  of  the  encouragement  of 
Me  Mrs.  Parijfa  and  Co.  on  applying  to  capt.  Cran- 
don,  he  obiervt-d  that  it  was  contrary  to  his  inftruc- 
tions,  winch  were  to  return  to  Liibon  :  And  as 
confldvirable  doubts  exifted  about  proceeding  to 

Hamburg, 


104          HISTORY    OF  ALGIERS. 

Hamburgh,   Mr.  Pinckney  declined  giving  a  pofi4 
tive  order  to  captain  Crandon,  which  proved  fortu^y 
nate,  as  immediately  after  advice  was  received  from 
Meffrs.    Pariih  and  Co.  that  the  dollars  they  had  in 
view  had  been  purchafed. 

On  this  occation,  and  under  this  date,  we  wrote 
to  Colonel  Humphreys,  by  the  brig  Sophia,  and  by 
the  packet, acquainting  him  with  our  disappointment 
in  toto  ;  which  we  accompanied,  at  the  intimation  of 
Mr.  O  Brien,  with  letters  of  credit  on  Madrid  and 
Cadiz  ;  and,  in  order  to  nnifh  this  part  of  the  fub- 
je6l,  as  a  justification  for  permitting  the  Sophia  tore- 
turn,  we  mould  obferve,  that  if  (lie  had  been  dctam- 
taineJ  for  fix  months,  we  could  not  have  procured 
one  half  of  the  quantity  of  Spanifh  dollars  re 
quired. 

March  i.   We  advifed  Colonel   Humphreys  that; 
we  had   received  a  large  fum  in  bills,  drawn    from 
Leghorn,  on  the  Britifh  government  ;  being  for  mo 
ney  lent  to  Algiers,   and  which  i .p.  eared  afterwards 
to  be  for  the  releafe  of  the  Co  rile  an  prifoners* 

March  21, — 29.  Are  anfwers  to  letters  from 
CoL  Humphreys,  relative  to  our  accounts,  chiefly 
dated  the  2/th  February,  and  gth  March,  which 
we  do  not  notice,  concluding  that  he  was  fatisfied, 
as  nothing  appears  in  reply  to  us  ;  but  as  there-was 
reafon  to  fear  the  buiinefs  could  not  be  executed 
in  Spain,  the  government  there  refufing  a  licence, 
notwithftanding  the  endeavors  of  Meffrs*  Joyes 
and  Sons,  aided  by  the  American  miniUer  or  refi- 
dent. 

April  I,  We  wrote  to  Meffrs.  Fonnereau,  of 
Leghorn,  not  only  to  open  the  neceflary  credit, 
but  to  explain  to  them,  in  a  full  and  confidential 
manner,  the  nature  and  extent  or  our  preceding 
difppointrnents  ;  requeuing. (with  the  approbation  of 

Mr. , 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.          105 

*  Fr.  Pinckney  and  Col.  Humphreys)  that  they 
would  convey  to  Algiers  fuch  information  as  mould 
fatisfy  the  dey,  that  the  delay  in  paying  the  money 
did  not  arife  from  the  want  of  funds,  credit,  or  en 
deavours  on  (he  part  of  the  United  States,  but  muft 
be  folely  attributed  to  the  political  convulfions  in 
Europe,  which  had  annihilated  the  ufual  channels 
or  modes  of  procuring  the  coin  for  the  purpofe. 

It  is  unneceffary  to  quote  dates  of  letters,  as  there 
appears  but  one  opinion  on  the  fubje6t,  namely, 
"  that  the  bufmefs  mud  finally  be  done  at  Leghorn, 
and  both  Mr.  Pinckney  and  Col.  Humphreys  re- 
cornrnend  mod  earneflly  that  the  information  al 
luded  to  fliould  be  conveyed  to  Algiers. 

April  19.  Fonnereau  anfwer  our  letter  of  the  ift, 
promifing  to  follow  the  orders  of  Col.  Humphreys, 

and  that would   communicate  to  Algiers  every 

thing  we  had  defired. 

June  17.  Fonnereau  advife  the  delivery  to  them, 
on  that  day,  of  the  orders  from  Col.  Humphreys, 
to  pay  to  the  order  of  Mr.  Donald fon,  400,000 
Spanilh  milled  dollars,  which  they  acquaint  him 
(hall  be  immediately  complied. 

June  iq.  Mr.  Donaldfon  acquaints  Meflrs.  Fon 
nereau,  that  he  fhould  accept  the  furn  ;  and  on  a 

meeting  between   them  and ,  the    price  of  the 

dollars,  with  that  of  Agio,  was  fettled  to  the  fatis- 
faction  of 

June  20, — 24.  Fonnereau  drew  for  what  money 
they  could  procure,  and  on  the  I4th  write,  "  en- 
clofed  you  have  Mr.  Donaldfon's  receipt  for  dols. 
140,000,  paid  to  him  by  order  of  Col.  Humphreys: 
This  bufiaefs  might  have  been  completely  finiihed 
by  our  giving  to  Mr.  Donaldfon  bills  on  you,  or 
on  Hamburg,  for  the  remaining  260,000  dollars, 

which offered  to  negociate  for  hrm,  and    to 

give 


106          HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

give  him  a  receipt  for  the  whole  400,000  dollark 
which  he  engaged  to  (hip  to  Algiers  ;  but  a  certain 
diffidence  on  his  fide,  would  not  permit  him  to  fign\ 
receipts  to  us,  for  more  than  he  had  abfolutely  re 
ceived  in  cafh." 

June  27.  The  French  entered  Leghorn,  and 
Fonnereau  embarked  on  board  an  Englim  frigate. 

July  15.   Mr.  Donaldfon  draws  on  us  for  the  fum 

of  dollars   10,000  ; under  the   fame  dates 

enquires  about  Mr.  Donaldfon's  credit  on  us,  and 
whether  we  have  orders  for  more  than  dols.  400,000. 

This  queition  leads  to  a  (late  of  the  account,  with 
an  eftimate  of  the  effe&s  in  our  hands.  On  the 
original  fum  fent  to  us,  we  have  only  fold  560  m. 
dollars,  the  price  having  fallen  at  one  time  fo  low- 
as  82,  and  believing  that  government  would  feel 
reludtant  to  fell  under  90,  we  had  determined  to 
anticipate  on  the  value  of  the  remainder,  waiting 
for  our  reimburfement  in  the  due  time. 

/• 

The  560  dollars  above,  have  procured     111,033 
Some  part  was  fold  above  go    per  cent, 
and  none  below  that  price,  which  leaves 
fcarce  3/11  1-2  per  dollar. 

The  prefent  price  is  86,  with  little  de 
mand  ;  fuppofe  the  remaining  249  in. 
dollars  produce  3/9  per  dollar,  the  amount 
will  be  45,000 

Total  amount  of  fales  and  effefts,  '56,053 

The  great  defalcation  ih  the  nominal  dollars, 
arifes  from  the  remittances  being  made  in  funds 
which  fell  at  10  per  cent,  under  par,  and  the  pay 
ments  being  made  in  foreign  money,  at  a  rate  very 
much  above  par, — that  at  Leghorn  in  particular 

has 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS,          107 

fcas  advanced   16,   18  per  cent,   above  what  it  was 

uot  a  long  time  fince* 

Our  payments  are  as  follow  :  £. 

Credit  on  Hamburg,  dollars  40  m.  9,002 

Drafts  cf  Dob r man,  50  ooo 

Remittances  to  Col-   Humphreys,  3*°cfi 

His  draft  1 2th  December,  455 

Paid  O'Brien,  31 
Paid  fundry  perfons  for  the  dividends  on 

(lock  fold,  2,497 
Dollars  140  m.  paid  by  Mr.  Donaldfon, 

we  calculate  pirce  4/10  55-100  each,  34,110 

99,118 

Suppofe  the  remaining  dollars  260  m. 
which  includes  Mr.  Donaldfon's  drafts, 
calculated  at  the  fame  rate,  the  amount 
will  be,  at  §f.  65,000 

Total  amount  of  payments,  164,118 

Ditto  of  fales  and  effects,  J5^'^53 


The  fum  of /. 2,497  Pa^  for  us  by  dividends, 
will  be  received  again  by  us  from  America,  and 
of  courfe,  appear  ultimately  to  the  credit  of  the 
United  States. 

Under  all  the  circumftances  which  have  been  Ha 
ted,  it  is  fubmitted  to  Mr.  King,— whai  ought  to  be 
done  in  the  prefent  moment? 

Mr*  Fonnereau  fays,  that  reliance  may  be  had 
on -having  conveyed  to  Algiers  the  informati 
on  requeued  ,*  and  moreover,  that  it  will  be  tho 
roughly  fatisf&£lory  at  that  place. 

In  the  prefent  fituation  of  Leghorn  there  is  in  fa£t 
no  exchange;  and  the  drafts  of  Mr.  Donaidfon  mud 
be  negociated  elfewhere — The  Italians,  moreover, 

know, 


\ 

.A     1 


108         HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS. 

know,  that  bills  drawn  from  Leghorn  fubfequcnt  t' 
the  entry  of  the  French,  cannot  be  paid  in  Londor! 
without  a  licenfe,  &c. 

Baring  and  Co.  can  have  no  difficulty  with  regard 
to  theoifelves  ;    they  are   directed  to  hold   the  pro 
ceeds,  or  value  (which  they  conceive  to  be  equally 
the  intention  of  the  United  States)  at  the  difpofal  of 
Colonel    Humphreys,    who    directs    them    to    pay 
40,000    dollars    to   the    order   of    Mr.    Donaldfon, 
which  will  be  punctually  complied  -with,  to  the  ex 
tent   of  fales,  and  value  of  what  remains,  under  a 
proper  licenie  :  But  that  zeal  which  has  induced  them 
to  follow  this    bufinefs   into    foreign    parts,  without 
any  other  motive  for  their  fo  doing,  induces  them  to 
fubmit  the  difficulties  which  occur  with  regard  to  the 
a&ual   pofuion    of    Leghorn, — a  doubt  whether  the 
bufinefs  can  be  executed  from  thence,  at  prefent, — 
and  ftill   more,  the   defalcations   which  muiVarife, 
refpe6ting  the   funds,  to   the  confederation   of  Mr. 
King,  for   his  better   judgment,    and  which,    they 
truft,  will  ferve  as  an   apology  for  the  detail  with 
which  they  now  trouble  him. 
£•    156,053   Sales  and  fuppofed  value, 
2,497   Divtdcj&ds- 

158,550 

5,568  Deficient,  fuppofing  Mr.  Donaidfon 
can  negociate  the  remaining  dollars, 
260  m.  at  fj/i  thofe  of  Mr.  Fonhercau 
having  coil  4/1  o  55-100. 


164,1  18 


Auguf!,   1796. 

An 


HISTORY. OF    ALGIERS.  109 

An  eftimate  of  the  probable  coR  and  freight  of  the 
maritime  {lores  neceffary  for  paying  the  flrft 
and  fecond  years'  annuities  to  the  Dey  and  Re 
gency  of  Algiers. 

jooo  barrels  powder,             -  ^.15,000  oo  o 

2000  pine  and  oak   plankc,  6,000  oo  o 

3000  pine  boards,  4>5°°  °°  ° 

2000  pipe  ftaves,  50  oo  o 

100  dozen  long  far  brufnes,  -          100  co  o 

34  cables,  80  tons,  io.58oo  cp  o 

10  coils  white  rope,   ii,2colb.  500  oo  o 

5  tons  yarn,                           -  975  oo  o 

100  bolts  of  canvafs,  550  oo  o 

3  tons  lead,                           -  120   oo  o 

55  tons  i'pikes,                         ~  3>597   I0  ° 

2000  bomb  fhells,  650  co  o 


.£.42,842   10  o 

Equal  to     I)oh*  114,246.  63 
To  tranfport  the  above  to  Algiers, 
fuppofe  30,000.  oo 

Dots.   144,246.  63 


TENCH  FRANCIS, 

Purveyor* 
December,   1796. 

Thefe  are  all  the  official  eftimates  and  correfpbn- 
dencies  that  have  as  yet  tranfpired  in  the  Algerine 
biifincfs.  But  thefe  enormous  expenditures  are  not 
the  fole  lofs  that  has  been  fuftained  by  the  Ameri 
cans.  They  have  incurred  the  additional  expence 
of  equipping  a  number  of  veflels,  in  conformity  to 
K  an 


no  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 


enneV 
fe,  or  1 


an  a6l  of  Congrefs  paffed  foon  after  the  Algcrine 
captures,  empowering  the  Prefident  to  purcbafe 
caufe  a  number  of  veffels  to  be  built,  for  the  pro- 
te£lion  of  the  commerce  of  the  United  States  againfl 
the  Algerines.  Another  item  to  be  included  in 
the  account  is  the  lofs  of  the  eleven  fail  of  Ameri 
can  veffels,  and. their  cargoes,  the  moft  of  them  very 
valuable.  The  dey  fold  feveral  of  thefe  veffels 
for  a  considerable  price  to  the  Swedifh  conful  in 
Algiers,  who  now  employs  them  in  the  Levant 
trade.  The  value  of  thefe  veffels  and  their  cargoes, 
with  many  contingent  expences  that  have  never 
been  included,  will  amount  to  at  leaft  180,000  dol 
lars,  which,  added  to  the  fum  total,  as  ftated  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treafury,  will  amount  to  the  fum 
of  1,172,446  dollars  and  25  cents, — the  whole  lofs 
that  the  people  of  the  United- States  have  fuftained 
by  the  piratical  aggreffions  of  this  mifcreant  nation* 


CHAP. 


HISTORY    OF  ALGIERS. 

CHAP.     V. 

Tfce  Algerinc  and  frifolitan  treaties. 


A  TREATY  OF  PEACE  AND  AMITY  CONCLUDED  SEP 
TEMBER  5,  1795,  BETWEEN  HASSAN  BASHAW, 
DEY  OF  ALGIERS,  HIS  DIVAN.  AND  SUBJECTS  ,* 
AND  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  NORTH  AMERICA,  AND  THE 
CITIZENS  OF  THE  SAID  UNITED  STATES!  WITH 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  PROCLAMATION,  ANNOUNC 
ING  ITS  RATIFICATION. 

GEORGE    WASHINGTON, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES  OF    AMERICA, 

To  all  to  whom  thefe  prefents  Jliall  come,*— 
Greeting : 

WHEREAS  a  Treaty  of  Peace  and  Amity 
has  been  concluded  in  the  manner  herein 
after  mentioned,     by    the    Plenipotentiary    of    the 
United  States  of  America,  and  the  Dey  and  Regen 
cy  of  Algiers;  which  Treaty,  written  in  the  Ara 
bic  language,  being  tranfiated  into  the  language  of 
the  United  States,  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit  : 
"  A    Treaty  of  Peace  and  Amity  concluded  this 
prefent  Day  lima  artaft,  the   twenty-firft  of  the 
Luna  fafer  year  of  the  Hegira  1210*  correfpori- 
ding  with   Saturday   the  fifth  of  September,  one 
thoufand  feven  hundred  and  ninety-five,  between 
HASSAN  BASHAW,  Dey  of  Algiers,  his  Divan  and 
fubjgfts,  and  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Preficlent 

of 


2i2  HISTORY   OF    ALGIERS. 


i 


ef  the  Unite]  States  of  North  America,  and 

citizens  of  the  faid  United  States. 

ARTICLE  ift.  From  the  date  of  the  prefent  trea 
ty,  tlxere  [hall  fubfirt  a  firm  and  fincere  peace  and 
amity  between'  the  PRESIDENT  and  citizens  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  and  HASSAN  BA- 
SHAsW,  Dey  of  Algiers,  his  Divan  and  fubjedls  ; 
the  veils  Is  and  fubje&s  of  both  nations  reciprocally 
treating  each  other  with  civility,  honor  and  refpecl. 

ARTICLE  the  ad.  All  vefleis  belonging  to  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States  of  North  America, 
{hali  be  permitted  to  enter  the  different  ports  of  the 
Regency,  to  trade  with  our  fubjed^s,  or  any  other 
perfons  reading  within  our  jurifdicTion,  on  paying 
the  ufual  duties  at  our  cuilom  houfe  that  are  paid  by 
all  nations  at  peace  with,  this  Regency  ;  obferving 
that  all  goods  difembarked  and  not  fold  here  lliall 
be  permitted  to  be  reimbarked  without  paying  any 
duty  whatever,  either  for  difembarking  or  embar 
king.  All  naval  and  military  {lores,  fuch  as  gun 
powder,  lead,  iron,  plank,  fulphur,  timber  for  build 
ing,  tar,  pitch,  rofin,  turpentine, and  any  other  goods 
denominated  naval  and  military  (lores,  (hall  be  per 
mitted  to  be  fold  in  this  Regency, without  paying  any 
duties  whatever  at  the  cuflom  houfeofthis  Regency. 

ARTICLE  3d.  The  vefleis  of  both  nations  (hall 
pafs  each  other  without  any  impediment  or  molefta- 
tion  ;  and  all  goods,  monies  or  paflengers,  of  what- 
foever  nation,  that  may  be  on  board  of  the  vefleis 
belonging  to  either  party  (hall  be  confidered  as  in 
violable,  and  mall  be  allowed  to  pafs  unmolefled. 

ARTICLE  4th.  All  (hips  of  war  belonging  tc 
this  Regency,  on  meeting  with  merchant  vefleis  be 
longing  to  citizens  of  the  United  States,  fhall  be  al 
lowed  to  vifit  them  with  two  -perfons  only  befide 
the  rowers ; — thefe  two  only  permitted  to  go  on 

board 


HISTORY  OF   ALGIERS.  113 

"board  faid  veflel,  without  obtaining  exprefs  leave 
from  the  commander  of  (aid  veffel,  who  (hall  com 
pare  the  paffport,  and  immediately  permit  faid  vef- 
•fel  to  prsceed  on  her  voyage  unmolefted.  All  fliips 
of  war  belonging  to  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  on  meeting  with  an  Algerine  cruifer,  and 
fhali  have  feea  her  paHport  and  certificate  from  the 
Conful  of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  re- 
(ident  in  this  Regency,  (ball  be  permitted  to  pro 
ceed  on  her  cruii'e  unmoiefted  :  no  paflport  to  be  if- 
fued  to  any  mips  but  fuch  as  are  abfolutely  the  pro- 
p  -rty  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  :  and  eighteen 
months  (hall  be  the  term  allowed  for  furniming  the 
fhips  of  the  United  States  with  paflports. 

ARTICLE  5th*  No  commander  of  any  cruifer 
belonging  to  this  regency,  (hall  be  allowed  to  take 
"any  peribi,  of  whatever  nation  or  denomination, 
out  of  any  veffel  belonging  to  the  United  States  of 
North  America,  in  order  ta  examine  them,  or  un 
der  pretence  of  making  them  confeis  any  thing^dc- 
fired  ,*  neither  (lull  they  infill  any  corporal  puniih- 
ment,  or  any  way  elfe  rnoieft  them. 

ARTICLE  6<h.  If  any  veffel  belonging  to  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  fhali  be  ftrandecl  * 
on  the  coaft  of  this  Regency,  they  fliall  receive 
every  pollible  affiftance  from  the  fuhjeiis  of  this 
Regency  :  ail  goods  laved  from  the  wreck  (hall  be 
permitted  to  be  reimb irked  on  board  of  any  other 
veilel,  without  paying  any  duties  at  the  cullorn 
houfe. 

ARTICLE  yth.  The  Algerines  are  not,  on  any 
pretence  \vhitever,  to  give  or  fell  any  veffL'l  of  war 
to  aay  nation  at  war  with  the  United  States  of 
North  Anierica,or  any  veffei  capable  of  cruifing  to 
tli-j  detriin-jat  of  the  commerce  of  the  United  States. 

ARTICLE 
K  2 


ii4         HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS, 

ARTICLE  the  8th.  Any  citizen  of  the  Unitel 
States  of  North  America,  having  bought  any  prize^ 
condemned  hy  the  Algerines,  (hail  not  be  again 
captured  by  the  cruifers  of  the  Regency  then  at  fea, 
although  they  have  not  a  paflport  ;  a  certificate 
from  the  Conful  refident  being  deemed  iufficient, 
until  fuch  time  they  can  procure  fuch  pjfifport. 

ARTICLE  the  gth.  If  any  of  the  Barbary  ftate.3 
?.t  war  with  the  United  Slates  of  North  America, 
fhall  capture  any  American  veffsl  and  bring  her  in 
to  any  of  the  ports  of  this  Regency,  they  (hail  not  be 
permitted  to  foil  her,  but' (hall  depart  the  port  on 
procuring  the  rcquitite  fup  plies  of  provifion. 

ARTICLE  the  loth.   Any  veflcl  belonging  to  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  when  at  war  with 
any  other  nation,  (hall  be  permitted    to  fend   their 
prizes  into  the  ports  of  the  Regency,  have  leave  (o 
difpofe  of  them,  without  paying  any  duties  on 
thereof.      All  velTels  wanting   provifions  or  re»> 
m?ms,  (hail  be  permitted   to  buy  them   at   market 
piice. 

AKTICLK  the  nth.  All  lliips  of  war  belonging 
to  the  United  States  of  North  America,  on  anchor- 
ins:  in  the  ports  of  the  Regency,  fhall  icceivc  the 
imul  prefentsof  provifions  and  refrcfhmcnts,  gratis. 
Should  any  of  the  fiaves  of  this  Regency  make  their 
clcapc  on  board  faid  veiTels,  theylliall  be  immedi 
ately  returned  :  No  excufe  (hall  be  made  that  they 
have  hid  thernfelyes  amongft  the  people  and  can 
not  be  found,  or  any  other  equivocation. 

ARTICLE  the  12th.  No  citizen  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  fhall  be  obliged  to  re 
deem  any  {lave  againft  his  will,  even  ihould  he  be 
his  brother  :  neither  fliall  the  owner  of  a  Have  be 
forced  to  fell  him  againft  h's  will  :  but  all  fuch 
agreements  rnufl:  be  made  by  cor.fent  of  parties. 

Should 


HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS.         nj 

culd  any  American  citizen  be  taken  on  board  an 
enemy-fhip,  by  the  cruifers  of  this  Regency,  ha 
ving  a  regular  parTport,  fpecifying  they  are  citi 
zens  of  the  United  States,  they  fhail  be  immediate 
ly  let  at  liberty.  On  the  contrary,  they  having 
no  paffport,  they  and  their  property  fhall  be  con- 
fidsred  lawful  prize  ;  as  this  Regency  know  their 
friends  by  their  padpoits. 

ARTICLE  the  13*!].  Should  any  of  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America  die  within 
the  limits  of  this  Regency,  the  Dey  and  his  fub- 
je£ts  fhall  not  interfere  with  the  property  of  the  de- 

afecl  ;  but  it  fhall  be  under  the  immediate  direc 
tion  of  the  conful  ;  unlefs  otherwife  difpofcd  of  by 
will.  Should  there  be  no  ccniul,  the  eiiecls  fhall 
be  depofited  in  the  hands  cf  fome  perfon  worthy  of 
trull,  until  the  party  fhail  appear  who  has  a  right 
to  demand  them  ;  when  they  ilall  render  an  ac 
count  of  the  property.  Neither  fhaii  the  Dey  or 
Divan  give  hindrance  in  the  execution  of  any  will 
that  may  appear. 

ARTICLE  the  I4th.  No  citizen  cf  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  (hall  be  obliged  to  pur- 
chafe  any  goods  asrainft  his  will;  but  on  the  con 
trary,  (hall  be  allowed  to  purchafe  whatever  it 
pleafeth  him.  The  conful  of  the  United  States  of 
North  America,  or  any  other  citizen,  fhali  not  be 
amenable  for  debts  contracted  by  any  one  of  their 
own  nation  ;  unlefs  previouily  they  have  given  a 
written  obligation  fo  to  do.  Should  the  Dey  want 
to  freight  any  American  veilel  that  may  be  in  the 
Regency,  orTuikey,  faid  veflel  not  being  engaged  ; 
in  confequence  of  the  friendfhip  fubfifHng  between 
the  two  nations,  he  experts  to  have  the  preference 
given  him,  on  his  paying  the  fame  freight  offered 
by  any  other  nation, 

ARTICLE 


Jits  at  la*, 
of  the  ReVJ 
ls  of  Norths 


n6  HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

ARTICLE  the  I5th.  Any  difputesor  fuits  ; 
that  may  take  place  between  the  fuhjecls  of 
gency  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  iliall  be  decided  by  theDey  in  perfon,and 
no  o-ther.  Any  deputes  that  may  arife  between 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  fhali  be  decided 
by  the  confui  ;  as  they  are  in  fueh  cafes  not  fubjcct 
to  the  laws  of  this  Regency. 

ARTICLE  the  }6th.  Should  any  citizen  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  kill,  wound,  or 
flrike  a  fubjeft  of  this  Regency,  he  (ball  be  pu- 
nifhed  in  the  fame  manner  as  a  Turk,  and  not  with 
more  fe verity.  Should  any  citizen  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  in  the  above  predicament, 
efcape  prifor,,  the  coniul  fhail  not  become  an- 
fwerable  for  him. 

ARTICLE  the  lyth.  The  Confui  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  iliall  have  every  perfonal 
fecurity  given  him  and  his  houfeholcl  :  he  fhali 
have  liberty  to  exercife  his  religion  in  his  own 
houfe.  Ail  flives  of  the  fame  religion  (hall  not  be 
impeded  in  going  to  faid  Coniul's  houfe, -at  hours  of 
prayer.  The  Conful  fhali  have  liberty  and  perfonal 
fecurity  <*iven  him  to  travel  whenever  he  pleafes, 
within  the  Regency  :  he  (hall  have  free  licence  to 
go  on  board  any  veffel  Iving  in  our  roads,  when 
ever  he  fhali  think  fit.  The  Confui  (hall  have  leave 
to  appoint  his  own  Drogaman  and  Broker. 

ARTICLE  the  j8th.  Should  a  war  break  out  be 
tween  the  two  nations,  the  Conful  of  tha  United 
States  of  North  America,  and  all  citizens,  of 
North  America,  and  all  citizens  of  faid  States,  (lull 
have  leave  to  embark  themfelves  and  property  un- 
roolefted,  on  board  of  what  veflel  or  vefiels  they 
fhali  think  proper, 

ARTICLE  he  igth.  Should  the  cruifers  of  Al 
giers  capture  any  veffel,  having  citizens  of  the 

United 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.  117 

United  States  of  North  America  on  board,  they 
having  papers  to  prove  they  are  really  fo,  they  and 
their  property  fhall  be  immediately  difcharged. 
And  fhould  the  voxels  of  the  United  States  capture 
any  veffels  of  nations  at  war  vviih  them,  having 
fubjecls  of  this  Regency  en  board,  they  lhall  be 
treated  in  like  manner. 

ARTICLE  the  2Oth.  On  a  vefTel  of  war  belong 
ing  to  the  United  States  of  North  America  anchor 
ing  in  our  ports^  the  Conful  is  to  inform  the  Dey  of 
her  arrival  ;  and  Ihe  fhall  be  faluted  with  twenty- 
one  guns  ;  which  (he  is  to  return  in  the  fame  quan 
tity  or  number.  And  the  Dey  will  fend  freih  pro- 
vifions  on  board,  as  is  ,cuftomary,  gratis. 

ARTICLE  the  2ifh  The  Conful  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  fhall  not  be  required  to 
pay  duty  for  any  thing  he  brings  from  a  foreign 
country  for  the  ufe  of  his  houfc  and  family. 

ARTICLE  the  22d.  Should  any  difturbance  take 
place  between  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  and 
the  fubje&s  of  this  Regency,  or  break  any  article 
of  this  treaty,  war  (hall  not  be  declared  immedi 
ately  ;  but  every  thing  fhall  be  fearched  into  regu 
larly  •  the  party  injured  fhail  be  made  reparation. 

On  the  2i.ft  of  the  Luna  of  Safer,  1210,  corref- 
ponding  with  the  5th-  September  1795,  JOSEPH 
DONALDSON^  jun.  on  the  part  of  the  United  States 
cf  North  America,  agreed  with  HASSAN  BASHAW, 
Dey  of  Algiers,  to  keep  the  articles  contained  in 
this  treaty  facred  and  inviolable  ;  which  we  the  Dey 
and  Divan  prpmife  to  obferve,  on  confideration  of 
the  United  States  paying  annually  the  value  of 
twelve  thoufand  Algerine  fequins  in  maritime  ftores. 
Should  the  United  States  forward  a  larger  quantity, 
the  overplus  fhall  be  paid  for  in  money,  by  the  Dey 
and  Regency.  Any  veffel  that  may  be  captured 

from 


nS          HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

from  the   date  of  this  treaty  of  peace  and  a 
fhall  immediately  be  delivered  up  on  her  arrival 
Algiers.  -  V 


VIZIR  HASSAN   BASHAW, 
JOSEPH  DONALDSON,  junr. 

To  all  to    whom  thefe    prefenfs  Jliall   corns,  or   he 
made,  known, 

WHEREAS  the  underwritten  David  Humphreys, 
hath  been  duly  appointed  Comaiidicner  Plenipo 
tentiary  by  letters  patent  under  the  fignature  of  the 
Prefident  and  leal  of  the  United  States  of  Ame 
rica,  dated  the  3Oth  of  March  1795,  for  negoci- 
ating  and  concluding  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the 
Dey  and  Governors  of  Algiers  ;  .whereas  by  inftruc- 
tions  given  to  him  on  the  part  of  the  Executive, 
d^tcd  the  28th  of  March  and  4th  of  April  1795  ;  he 
hath  been  further  authorifed  to  employ  Jofeph 
Donaldfon,  junior,  on  an  agency  in  the  faid  buli- 
nefs ;  whereas  by  a  writing  under  his  hand  and 
fcal,  dated  the  2 ill  of  May"i7Q5,  he  did  conftitute 
and  appoint  Jofeph  Donaldfon,  junior,  agent  in  the 
bufinefs  aforefaid  ;  and  the  faid  Jofeph  Donaldfon, 
junior,  did  on  the  5th  of  September  1795,  agree 
with  Hailan  Bafhaw,  Dey  of  Algiers,  to  keep  the 
articles  of  the  preceding  treaty  facred  and  invio 
lable  : 

Now,  know  ye,  That  I  David  Humphreys,  Com- 
rniflioner  Plenipotentiary  aforefaid,  do  approve  and 
conclude  the  laid  treaty,  and  every  article  and 
cl'aufe  therein  contained  ;  refer ving  the  fame  never- 
thelefs  for  the  final  ratification  of  the  Prcfident  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  by  and  with  the 

advice 


HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS.  ,19 

advice  and  confent  of  the  Senate  of  the  fdid  United 
States. 

In  teftimony  whereof,  I  have  figned 
the  fame  with   my  hand   and  feal, 
(Seal)  at   the    city  of  Lifbon,  this   28th 

of  November  1795. 

DAVID  HUMPHREYS. 

Now  le.  it  known,  That  I  GEORGE  WASHING 
TON,  Prefident  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
having  ieen  and  ccnfidered.the  faid  treaty,  do,  by 
and  with  the  advice  and  confent  of  the  Senate,  ac 
cept,  ratify,  and  confirm  the  fame,  and  every 
ciaufe  and  article  thereof.  And  to  the  end  that  the 
laid  treaty  may  be  obferved  and  performed  with 
good  faith  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  I  have 
ordered  the  preraifes  to  be  made  public;  and  I  do 
hereby  enjoin  and  require  all  pcrfons  bearing  of 
fice  civil  or  military  within  the  United  States,  and 
all  other  citizens  or  inhabitants  thereof,  faithfully 
to  obferve  and  fulfil  the  faid  treaty,  and  every  ar 
ticle  and  ciaufe  thereof. 

In  teflimony  whereof,  I  have  caufed  the  feal  of  the 
United  States  of  America  to  be  affixed  to  thefe  pre- 
fcnts,  and  figned  the  fame  with  rny  hand. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  the 
feventh  day  of  March,  one  thcu- 
(Seal)  fand  feven    hundred  and  ninety- 

fix,  and  of  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  the 
twentieth. 

G*.  WASHINGTON. 
By  tht  Prtfidtnt. 

TIMOTHY  PICKERING, 
Sec'ry  of  State* 

A  TREA- 


120         HISTORY    OF    ALGIERS. 

A  TREATY  OF  PEACE  AND  AMITY  CONCLUDED,  NO\ 
VEMBER4,  1796,  BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATESV 
OF    AMERICA   AND    THE     BEY    AND    SUBJECTS    OF  1 
TRIPOLI  OF   BARBARY,    WITH  THE   PRESIDENT^    1 
PROCLAMATION,    ANNOUNCING     ITS    RATIFICA 
TION* 

JOHN  4  DAMS, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE   UNITED    STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

To  all  to  whom  thefe  prefents  Jhall  come, — 
Greeting  : 

WHEREAS  a  Treaty  of  Peace  and  Friendflbip 
has  been  concluded  in  the  manner  herein  after  men 
tioned,  by  the  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States 
of  America  and  the  Bey  and  fubje&s  of  Tripoli  of 
Barbary;  which  treaty  ^written  in  the  Arabic  lan 
guage,  being  tranflated  into  the  language  of  the  U- 
nited  States,  is  in  the  words  following  to  wit  : 

TREATY  OF  PEACE   AND   FRIENDSHIP  Between, 
the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Bey  and  Sub- 
jecls  of  Tripoli  of  Barbary. 

ARTICLE  ift.  There  is  a  firm  and  perpetual 
peace  and  friendfhip  between  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  the  bey  and  fubjecls  of  Tripoli  of 
Barbary,  made  by  the  free  confent  of  -  both  parties, 
and  guaranteed  by  the  Mod  Potent  Dey  and  Regen 
cy  of  Algiers. 

ARTICLE  2d.  If  any  goods  belonging  to  any 
nation  with  which  either  of  the  parties  is  at  war, 
(hall  be  loaded  on  board  of  veflels  belonging  to 
the  other  party,  they  (hall  pafs  free,  and  no  attempt 
lhall  be  made  to  take  or  detain  them. 

ARTICLE  3.  If  any  citizen,  fubje&s  or  efTecls  be 
longing  to  either  party  (hall  be  found  on  board  a 

prize 


HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS.          121 

ynize  veffel  taken  from  an  enemy  by  the  other  party, 
inch  citizens  or  fubjecls  fhali  be  let  at  liberty,  and 
the  effects  reflored  to  the  owners. 

ARTICLE  4.  Proper  paffports  are  to  be  given  to 
all  veflels  of  both  parties,  by  which  they  are  to  be 
known.  And  confidering  the  diilance  between  the 
two  countries,  eighteen  months  from  the  date  of 
this  treaty  ihall  be  allowed  for  procuring  fuch  paff- 
ports.  During  this  interval  the  other  papers  be 
longing  to  fuch  veflels  ihall  be  fufhcient  for  their 
/protection. 

ARTICLE  5th.  A  citizen  or  fubjecl  of  either  par 
ty  having  bought  a  prize  condemned  by  the  party, 
or  by  any  other  nation,  the  certificate  of  ccftdem- 
liation,  and  bill  of  fale,  ihall  be  a  fufficient  paff- 
port  for  fuch  veffel  for  ©ne  year  :  this  being  a 
reafonable  time  for  her  to  procure  a  proper  paff- 
port. 

ARTICLE  6.  Veflels  of  either  party  putting  in 
to  the  ports  of  the  other,  ar.d  having  need  of  pro- 
vi iions  or  other  fupplic?,  they  fhali  be  furijlfi  cc  ;.t 
the  market  price.  And  if  any  fuch  veffel  fl'ail 
fo  put  in  from  a  difafter  at  fea,  and  have  ecoaiion 
to  repair,  ilie  ft.all  be  at  liberty  to  land  and  reim- 
bark  her  cargo,  without  paying  any  duties.  But 
in  no  cafe  ihail  fhe  be  compelled  to  land  her  cat- 
go. 

ARTICLE  7.  Should  a  veffel  of  either  party  be 

caft  on  the  (bore  of  the  other,  all   proper  affifiance 

ihall  •  e  given  to  her    and    her  people  ;   no  pillage 

fhallbe  allowed,  the  property  fball    ren  ain  at  the 

difpofiticn  of  the  owners,  and  the   crew   piotecled 

and  fuccoured  till  they  can  be  fent  to  their  country. 

ARTICLE  8.  If  a  veffel  of  cither  parly  flould  be 

attacked  by  an  enemy  within  gun-fhct  of  the  forts 

of  the  other,  ihe  (l.all  Le  defended  as  much  as  po£- 

L  fible. 


122  HISTORY   OF  ALGIERS. 

fi'jle.     If  fhe  be  In   port  (lie  (hall  not  be  feized  o\ 
attacked  when  it  is  in  the  power  of  the  other  partA 
to  protect    her  ;  and  when  {he  proceeds  to  fca   no\ 
enemy    (hall   be  allowed   to   purfue   her    from    the 
fame   port  within   twenty-four  hours   after  her  de 
parture. 

ARTICLE  9.  The  commerce  between  the  Unit 
ed  States  and  Tripoli — the  protection  to  be  given 
to  mci chants,  rnarters  of  veflels,  and  feamen — the 
reciprocal  right  of  eftabliihing  Confuls  in  each  coun 
try,  and  the  privileges,  immunities  and  jurifdi&ions 
to  be  enjoyed  by  fuch  Confuls,  are  declared  to  be 
on  the  fame  footing  with  thofc  of  the  rnoft  favored 
nations  refpe£trvely« 

ARTICLE  loth.  The  money  and  prefects  demand 
ed  by  the  Bey  of  Tripoli,  as  a  full  and  fatisfa&cry 
coniideration  on  his  part,  and  on  the  part  or"  hisfub- 
icCts,  for  this  treaty  of  perpetual  peace  and  friend- 
ihip,  are  acknowledged  to  have  been  received  by 
him  previous  to  his  figning  the  fame,  according  to 
a  receipt  which  is  hereto  annexed,  except  fuch  part 
as  is  pro  mi  fed  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  to  be 
delivered  and  paid  by  them  on  the  arrival  ''of  their 
Conful  in  Tripoli,  of  which  part  a  note  is  likewife 
hereto  annexed.  And  no  pretence  of  any  periodi 
cal  tribute  or  further  payment  is  ever  to  be  made  by 
cither  party. 

ARTICLE  nth.  As  the  government  of  the  li 
nked  States  of  America  is  not  in  any  fenfc  founded 
on  the  Chriftian  religion,  as  ^t  has  in  itfelf  no  cha- 
raclcr  of  enmity  againft  the  laws,,  religion  or  tran- 
quility  of  Nluffelmer:^ — and  as  the  faid  fhtes  have  ne 
ver  entered  into  any  war  or  a6l  of  hoftilify  againft 
any  Mahdmedsn  nation,  it  is  declared  by  the  par- 
tlesj  that  no  pretext  aiifing  from  religious  opinions 

ilia  11 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS.  125 

jrull   ever  produce  an  interruption   of  the  harmony 
exifting  between  the  two  countries. 

AaricLa  I2th.  In  cafe  of  any  difpute  arifing 
fro-11  a  violation  of  any  of  the  articles  of  this  treaty 
no  appeal  (hill  be  made  to  arms,  nor  fhall  war  be 
declared  on  any  pretext  whatever*  Bat  if  the  Con- 
ful  refidingat  the  place  where  the  difpute  fhall  hap 
pen,  fhall  not  be  able  to  fettle  the  fame,  an  amica 
ble  reference  (hall  be  made  to  the  mutual  friend  of 
the  parties,  the  Dey  of  Algeirs,  the  parties  hereby 
engaging  to  abide  by  his  decifion.  And  he,  by 
virtue  of  his  fignature  to  this  treaty,  engages  for 
himfelf  and  his  fucceffors,  to  declare  the  juillce  of 
the  cafe  according  to  the  true  interpretation  of  the 
treaty,  and  to  ufe  all  the  means  in  his  power  to  en 
force  the  obfervance  of  the  fame- 

Signed  and  Scaled  at  Tripoli  of  Barbary,  the  3d 
day  of  Jurnad,  in  the  year  of  the  Hegira  1211, 
correfponding  with  the  4th  day  of  November 
1790— by 

(L.  s.)  JUSSUF  BASHAW  MAHOMET,  Bey* 
(L.  s.)   MAMET,  Treafurer. 
(L.  s.)   AMET,    Minifter  of  Marine. 
(L.  s,)    AMET,  Chamberlain. 
(L.  s.)   ALLY,  Chief  of  the  Divan. 
(L.  s.)  SOLIMAN  KAYA, 
(L.  s.)  GALIL,  General  of  the  Troons. 
(L.  s.)  MAHOMET,  Cmdt.  cf  the  City. 
(L.  3.)   MAMET,  Secretary. 

Signed  and  Sealed  at  Algiers,  the  4th  day  of 
Argil,  12  11,  corresponding  with  the  3d  day  of  Ja 
nuary  1797,  by 

(L.  s.)         HASSAN  BASHAW,  Dey. 

And  by  the  Agent  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

(L.  s,)  JOEL  BARLOW. 

I  Joel 


J24          HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS. 

1  Joel  Barlow,  Agent  and  Conful  General  of  th\ 
United  States  of  America,  for  the  City  and  KingA 
dom  of  Algiers,  certify  and  atteft  that  the  foregoing 
is  a  true  copy  of  the  treaty,  concluded  between  the 
United  States,  and  the  Bey  and  Subje&sof  Tripoli 
of  Barbary,  of  which  the  original  is  to  be  tranftr.it- 
ted  by  me  to  the  Minitier  of  the  laid  United  States, 
in  Liibon. 

In  tefiimony    whereof,    I   fign   thefe   pre- 
fents  with  rny  hand,  affix  thereto  the  feai 
(L.  s.)         of  the  Confulateof  the  United  States  at 
Algiers,  this  4th  of  January  1797. 
JOEL  BARLOW. 

To  all  to  whom  thefe  prefents  fliall  comz  or  be  mads 

known  : 

Whereas  the  under  written  David  Humphreys, 
hath  been  duly  appointed  Commifiioner  Plenipo 
tentiary,  by  Letters  Patent  under  the  fignature  of 
the  Prefiient  and  feal  of  the  United  States  of  Ame 
rica,  dated  the  30111  of  March  1795,  for  negoci- 
atinnj  ami  concluding  a  Treaty  of  Peace  with  the 
MoR  Illuftrious,  The  Bafhaw,  Lords  and'  Gover 
nors  of  the  City  and  Kingdom  of  Tripoli  :  Where 
as  by  a  writing  under  his  hand  and  feal,  dated  the 
ipth  of  February  1796,  he  did  (in  conformity  to 
the  authority  committed  me  therefore)  con  dilute  and 
appDint  Joel  Barlow,  and  Jofeph  Donald fon,  junior, 
agents,  jointly  and  fep  irately,  in  the  bufinefs  afore- 
faid  :  Whereas  the  annexe 3  Treaty  of  Peace  and 
friend ;hip,  was  agreed  upon,  figned  and  fealccl  at 
Tripsli  of  Barbary  on  the  4th  of  November  I7~5, 
in  virtue  of  th;  p:yver  aforefii'.l,  and  guaranteed 
by  the  VI 3  ft  Potent  Dey  and  R^.^ency  of  Algiers; 
and  whereas  the  fame  was  certified  at  Algiers  on 
th2  3-1  day  of  January  1797,  with  the  fignature 

and 


HISTORY   OF   ALGIERS,  i.2s 

and  feal  of  Haffan  Baftiaw,   Dey,  and  of  Joel  Ear- 
low,  one  of  the  agents  aforefaid— 

Now  know  ye,  That  I  David  Humphreys  com- 
miffioner  plenipotentiary  aforefaid,  do  approve  and 
conclude  the  faid  treaty,  and  every  article- and 
claufe  therein  contained,  referving  the  fame  never- 
thelefs  for  the  final  ratification  of  the  Prefident  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  by  and  with  the  ad 
vice  and  content  of  the  Senate  of  the  faid  United 
States* 

In  teftimony  whereof,  I  have  figned  the  fame 
with  my  name  and  feal,  at  the  city  of  Lif- 
bon  this  loth  of  February,  1797. 

(L.  s.)  DAVID  HUMPHREYS." 

Now  be  it  known,  That  T  John  Adams,  Prefident 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  having  feen  and 
confidered  the  faid  Treaty,  do?by  and  with  the  ad* 
viceand  confent  of  the  Senate,  accept,  ratify,  and  con 
firm  the  fame,  and  every  ehufe  and  article  thereof. 
And  to  the  end  that  the  laid  Treaty  may  be  obfer- 
ved  and  performed  with  good  faith  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States,  1  have  ordered  the  premifes  to  be 
made  public  ; — ami  1  do  hereby  enjoin  and  require 
all  perfons  bearing  office,  civil  or  military,  within 
the  United  States,  and  all  other  citizens  or  inhabi 
tants  thereof  faithfully  to  obferve  and  fulfil  the  faid 
Treaty  and  every  claufe  and  article  thereof. 

In   teftimony  whereof,  I   have  caufed  the   Seal 
of  the  United  States  of  America  to  be  affix 
ed   to  thefe   Prefents,  and   figned   the  fame 
(L.  S.)  with  my  hand.      Done  at  the  City  of  Phila 
delphia,  the  Tenth  day  of  June,  'one  Thou- 
L  2  fand 


*6          HISTORY  OF  ALGIERS. 

fand  fcven  Hundred  and  Ninety-feven,  and 
of  the  Independence  of  the  United  Stated 
the  Twcnty-firtt. 

JOHN  ADAMS. 
By  the  PryjMcnt. 

TIMOTHY  PICKERING* 
Scc'ry  of  State* 


OF   TEE   HISTORY* 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS ; 


COMPREHENDING 


AN   AMPLE    ACCOUNT 


OP      ITS 


TERRITORY   AND    INHABITANTS. 


DESCRIPTION,  ®c.. 


C  II  A  P.     I. 

Ifs   stl-uifiw ;    rivers  >  foil)  climate,  arid  productions  ;    ani 
mals ,    antiquities    and    curiofities ;    inhabit  ant  :>    citfloms 
and  manners  ;    drefs>   language^     corf  airs   and  commerce; 
re-ve./zxes,  government)  pun  foments  and  religion* 

THE  kingdom  of  Algiers  is  fituated  betiveea 
32  and  37  degrees  «f  north  latitude,  which 
correfponds  to  that  of  the  United  States  from  near 
the  fouthern  boundary  of  Virginia  to  near  the  river 
Savannah  in  Georgia,  and  between  76  and  84  de 
grees  20  minutes  call  longitude  from  Philadelphia. 
It  extends  480  miles  in  length  from  eaft  to  weft 
along  the  northern  coaft  of  Africa,  and  320  miles 
in  breadth  from  north  to  fouth.  It  is  bounded  by 
the  Mediterranean  on  the  north,  by  the  kingdom 
of  Tunis  on  the  eaft,  by  mount  Atlas  on  the  iout^, 
and  by  the  river  Mulvia,  which  feparates  it  flora 
the  empire  of  Morocco,  on  the  weft.  At  the  di£- 
tance  of  120  miles  from  the  fea~coaft,  that  part 
of  Africa  becomes  a  barren  defart,  almoil  entirely 
uninhabitable  either  by  man  or  beaft. 

This  ^country  derives  its  name  from  its  metro 
polis,  and  n  at  prefent  divided  into  three  provinces 
or  diftric-ls,  viz-  the  eaftern,  weftern,  and  fouthern. 

The 


130     DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS, 

The  eaftern,  or  Levantine  government,  which 
by  far  the  moft  confiderable  of  the  three,  and  is  .j!L> 
called  Bey  lick,  con  tains  the  towns  of  Bona,  Conflan- 
tina,  Gigeri,   Bugia,  StefFa,  Tebef,  Zamoura,  Bif- 
cara,  and   Necanz,  in  all  which   the    Turks  have 
their  garrifons  :   beSdes  which,  it  includes  the  two 
ancient  kingdoms  of   Cuco  and  Labez,  though  in 
dependent  of  the  Algerine   government,  to  vvhofe 
forces  their  country  is  inacceflible  ;  ib  that  they  ftHl 
live    under   their  own   cheyks,  chofen  by  each  of 
their  adowars  or  hords.     To  theie  may  be  added  a 
French    factory  at  Calle,  under  the  direction  of  the 
company    of   the    French    Bailion. — The    weltern 
government  includes  the  towns  of  Oran,  Tremefen, 
Moftagan,  Tenez,  and  Sercelli,  with  its  caftle  and 
garrifon. — The    fouthcrn   government  has    neither 
town,    village,   nor  even    a    houfe,   which  obliges 
the  bey   and  his  forces  to  be  always  encamped. 

RIVERS. 

THE  mod  considerable  rivers  of  Algiers,  are 
I.  The  Zha  or  Ziz,  which  croffcs  the  province  of 
Tremefen,  and  the  defart  of  Anguid,  along  the 
frontier  of  Fez,  and  falls  into  the  Mediterranean  near 
the  town  of  Tabecrita,  where  it  takes  the  name  of 
Sirut.  Its  water  is  clear  and  full  of  fifh, 

2.  The    Hued-Habra,  which   falls  into  the   Ziz 
near  the  plains  of  Cirek.   Along  its  banks  live  ma 
ny   defperate  Arabs,  who   are  troublefome    neigh 
bours  to  the  province  of  Gran. 

3.  The  iiireool,  or  Tefne,  called  Siga  by  Pto 
lemy,  defcends  from  the  great  Atlas,  croHes  the  de- 
fart  of  Angaid,  and   falls  into  the   fea  about   five 
leagues  from  Oran. 

4.  The  Mina,  iuppofed  to   be  the   Chylcmatis  of 
Ptolemy,  a  large  river  that  runs  northward  through 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.      131 

flic  plains  of  Bathala,  waters  that  city  and  Minn, 
and  falls  into  the  fea  near  the  town  of  Arzcw.  This 
river  has  lately  received  the  name  of  Ccna,  from 
that  of  a  Moabite  who  repeopled  the  town  of  Ba- 
thala,  which  had  been  deftroyed  by  the  Berime- 
rimes. 

5.  The  Sheliff,   Zilef  or  Zilif,  a  large  river,  de- 
fcending  from  mount  Gnanccexis,  running  through 
vaft  dcfarts,   the  lake  Titteri,  the  frontiers  of  Tre- 
mefen   and  Tenez,  and  falling  into  the  fea  a  little 
above  the  city  of  Moftagan. 

6.  The  Celef,  fuppofed   to  be   the  Carthena   of 
the  ancients,  falls  into  the  fea  about   three  leagues 
wed   of  Algiers,  after  a  ihort  courfc  of  18   or   20 
leagues. 

7.  The  Hued-alquiver,  fuppofed  to  be  the  Nala- 
bata,  or   Nafaba*  of  the   ancients,    and   called  by 
the   Europeans   Zinganir,  runs  down   with  a  fwift 
courfe,  through  fomc  high  mountains  of  Cuco,  and 
falls  into  the  fea  near  Bugia.     It  abounds  with  fiih, 
of  which  fuch  immcnfe  quantities  are  caught   that 
they  are  negle&cd.'     While  the  city  of  Bugia  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  Chriftians,  as  Marrr.ol  tells  us, 
the   mouth   of  this  river  was  fo  choaked    up  with 
fand,  that  no  veffcls  could  came  up  into  it :   but  in 
1555,  very   foon  after  it  was  taken  by  the  Moors, 
the  great  rains  fwelled  it  to  fuch  a  degree*  that   all 
the   fand    and    mud   was  carried  oft' ;    fince  which 
time  the  galleys  and  other  trading  veiTels  have  en 
tered  it  with  eafe,  where  they  lie  fafe  from  ilorms 
and  all  winds  but  that  which  blows  from  the  north. 

8.  The  Suf-Gernar,  or  Suf-Girnmar  al  Rumniel, 
fappofed  to  be  the  Ampfaga  of  Ptolemy,  takes  its 
rife   on   mount  Auras,  on  the  confines    of  Atlas  ; 
runs  thence  through   fome   barren  plains,  and   the 
fertile    parts  cf  Conftantina,  where  its   rtream  is' 

greatly 


131     DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

greatly    increafed   by    the  influx  of  other  rive 
from  thence  running    northward,  along  the   ridgesX 
of  iome  high  mountains,  it  falls  into  the  lea  a  little  ^ 
to   the  eaO  of  Gigeri. 

9.  The  Ladag,  or    Ludeg,    runs    down    from 
mount  Atlas  thioi.gh  part  of  Conllantina,  and  falls 
into  the  fea  a  little  to  the  eaftward  of  Bona. 

10.  The  Guadi,  or  Guadei  Barbar,  fucpofed  to 
be  the  Tufca  orRubricatus  of  the  ancients,  fprings 
from  the   head  of  Orbus,  or  Urbs  in  Tripoli,  runs 
through  Bugia,  and  falls  into  the  fea  near  Tabarca* 

SOIL,  CLIMATE  and  PRODUCTIONS* 

THIS  country  confifls  of  eighteen  provinces,  the 
climate  of  which,  along  the  fea-coafts,  is  remarka 
bly  delightful,  and  the  air  pure  and  ferene. 

The  country  of  Algiers,  and  the 'Hates  of  Bar- 
bary  in  general,  under  the  Rcrran  crrpire  were 
jufHy  denominated  (he-garden  of  the  world;  and 
to  have  a  refidence  there  was  ccnfldertd  as  the  high- 
cfl  Hate  of  luxury.  The  produce  of  their  ftil  for 
med  thofe  magazines  which  fi:n  ill  ed  all  Italy,  and 
a  great  part  o(  the  Roman  empire  with  corn,  wine 
and  oil. 

The  foil  is  covered  with  alinoO  a  perpetual  ver 
dure,  and  is  extremely  fertile,  particularly  on  the 
mountainous  parts  to  the  veil  of  Tcnez,  Brgia, 
and  Algiers  Proper,  which  produce  \vhea!  and  fruit 
in  the  grestell  peifec^ion  ;  and  the  noithcrn  parts 
of  Trcmefcn,  towards  the  fea,  abound  in  excellent 
pailure  grounds,  But  as  ve  r-dvaree  into  the  ccun- 
try,  it  becomes  more  paiched  snd  barren. 

Though  the  lands  are  now  uncultivated,  through 
the  barbarity  and  cpprefPon  of  tl^eir  government, 
yet  they  ftill  produce  not  only  corn,  wine,  and  cil 

in 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      335 

5n  the  greateft  abundance,  but  dates,  raifins,  al- 
nionds,  apples,  pears,  cherries,  plums,  citrons, 
lemons,  oranges,  pomegranates,  &c.  and  plenty  of 
roots  and  herbs  grow  in  their  kitchen  gardens.  Excel 
lent  hemp  and  flax  grow  on  their  plains  ;  and  by 
the  report  of  thole  who  have  travelled  thither,  the 
country  abounds  with  all  that  can  add  to  the  plea- 
fur  es  of  life. 

Extreme  heat  is- not  common,  and  the  climate 
is  fo  temperate  that  the  heat  of  fumrrser  never  dries 
the  leaves  of  the  trees,  nor  the  cold  of  winter 
makes  them  fall  ;  fo  that  they  are  confiantly  ver 
dant.  In  February  they  begin  to  bud,  and  in  May 
fhew  their  fruit  in  full  growth,  which  is  lire  in 
June.  Their  vines  are  very  large  and  thick,  and 
the*  bunches  of  grapes  on  them  are  corr.rKonly  a 
foot  and  an  half  long.  The  grapes  are  lit  to  gather 
in  June,  and  the  figs,  peaches,  nectarines,  olives, 
nuts,  &c.  in  Auguft.  The  people  find  means  to 
evade  the  fobriety  prefcribcd  by  the  Mahometan 
law,  and  make  free  with  excellent  wines  and  f pi 
nts  of  their  own  growth  and  YranufadUire.  The 
plains  of  Moligia  produce  wheat,  barley  and  cats, 
two  or  three  times  a  year.  Their  melons  are  of 
an  exquifite  tafte  ;  fome  of  which  ripen  in  fummer, 
and  others  in  winter.  Algiers  produces  befides, 
ialt-petre,  and  great  quantities  of  excellent  fait; 
-and  lead  and  iron  have  been  found  in  fevcral  pla- 


The  country  round  the  city  of  Algiers  is  very 
fertile.  Country  feats,  gardens  arjd  groves  of  trees 
arc  numerous.  The  Algerines  are  unacquainted 
with  the  art  of  pruning  and  grafting  trees.  Their 
gardens  are  not  walled,  but  fenced  round  with  a  pe 
culiar  fpeciescf  thorns,  which,  from  their  prickles, 
and  the  compa6lnefs  with  which  their  branches  in- 
M  terweavc 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

•-cave,  are  well  adapted  for  that  purpofe.  Amon» 
ner  rich  tracts  in  the  province  of  Algiers  Proper*. 
5   great "plain  of  Mettijah  is  admired  for   its  ailo- 
nnhing  fertility.     It  is  fifty  miles  In  Jength,  twenty 
m  breatjth,  and  includes  many  villas,  fragant  groves, 
^delightful    gardens.     The  foil   produces  iuch  a 
profuiion  of  the   mod   delicious  fruits,  rice,    roots, 
and  grain  of  every  fpecies,  that  the  inhabitants  en 
joy  annually  two,  and  frequently  three  crops. 

ANIMALS. 

NEITHER  the  elephant  nor  the  rhinoceros  are  to 
be  found  in  the  States  of  Barbary  ;  but  their  de- 
farts  abound  with  lions>  tigers,  leopards,  hyaenas, 
and  monflrous  ferpents.  The  Barbary  horfes  were 
formerly  very  valuable,  and  thought  equal  to  the 
Arabian.  Camels  and  dromedaries,  affes,  mules, 
and  kurhrahs  (a  moil  ferviceable  creature,  begot  by 
an  afs  upon  a  cow)  are  their  beads  of  burden. 
Their  flieep  yield  but  indifferent  fleeces,  but  they 
are  very  Ijrge,  as  are  their  goats.  Bears,  buffaloes, 
wild  boars,  porcupines,  foxes,  apes,  hares,  rab 
bits,  ferrits,  weafels,  moles,  cameleons,  and  mod 
kinds  of  reptiles  are  found  here. 

There  is  a  peculiar  kind  of  animal,  called  the 
g&pdrd)  which  can  eafily  be  tamed,  and  is  made 
vile  of  for  hunting  like  a  dog.  The  head  of  it  re* 
fembles  that  of  a  cat ;  the  hind  legs  are  longer  than 
the  fore,  and  the  tail  is  finely  mottled.  It  is  fo  apt* 
to  exhauft  itfelf  in  running  that  the  hunters  are  obli 
ged  to  carry  it  now  and  then  on  their  horfes,  till  it 
has  recoveied  itfelf.  There  is  alfo  another  curious 
animal  which  is  between  a  dog  and  a  fox. 

u  Bcfides  vermin, "  fays  Dr.  Shaw,  fpeaking  of 
his  travels  through  Barbary,  "  the  rspprehenfions 
v,  c  were  under  in  forne  parts  of  this  country,  of  be~ 

ing 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     ^$ 

ing  bit?en  or  (lung  by  the  fcorpicn,  the  viper,  cr 
the  venernous  fpider,  rarely  failed  'to  interrupt  our 
repofe." 

But  the  inoft  fingular  infers  are  the  locufts,  which 
the  Do6lor  in  his  travels  describes  in  the  following 
manner.  *'.  They  were  much  bigger  thsn  our  com 
mon  grafs-hopners,  having  brown  f pot  ted  v/ings, 
with  legs  and  bodies  of  a  bright  yellow,  'I  he  it 
firil  appearance  was  towards  the  latter  end  of 
March,  ihe  wind  having  been  for  force  time  ftath- 
erly  ;  and  in  the  middle  of  April  their  numbers 
ivere  fo  vailly  increafed,  that  in  the  heat  of  the.  day, 
they  formed  thernfelves  into  large  bodies,  appear 
ed  like  a  fuccellion  of  clouds,  and  darkened  the  fun. 
About  the  middle  of  May,  each  of  tliefe  bodies  be 
gan  gradually  to  di (appear,  retiring  into  the  Meiii- 
ji&fi,  and  other  adjacent  plains  to  depofit  their  eggs, 
Accordingly  in  the  month  following,  their  y: 
brood  began  gradually  to  make,  their  appearance, 
and  it  was  furprifing  to  obferve,  that  no  focncr 
were  any  of  them  hatched,  than  they  immediately 
collected  themfelves  together,  each  of  them  forming 
a  compaft  body  of  fsveral  hundred  yaids  in  iquare  : 
which  marching  afterwards  diredtly  forward,  clim 
bed  over  trees,  walls,  and  houfes,  eat  up  every 
plant  in  their  way,  find  let  nothing  cjcape  them* 
The  inhabitants,  to  Oop  their  progreis,  nsade  tren- 
^  chesall  over  their  fields  and  gardens,  ar.d  hlled  them 
with  water  ;  or  elfe  placing  in  a  row  great  quantities 
of  heath,  Rubble,  and  luch  like  combuflible  mat 
ter,  they  fet  them  on  fire  upon  the  approach  of  the 
locufts.  But  all  this  was  to  no  purpoie  ;  for  tke 
trenches  were  quickly  filled  up,  and  the  fires  puJ 
out  by  infinite  fwarms  fucceeding  one  another, 
whilft  the  front  ieemed  regardlefs  of  danger,  and 
the  rear  preffed  on  jfo  clofe,  that  a  retreat  was  irn- 
poffiblc."  Par- 


i35    DE  SCRIPT!  \LGIERS. 

ks,  and  all   kinks 

°/  v  en    this  coaft  ;  and  of  th\ 

Smaller  birds,   the  iparrovv  Is  remarkable  for 

-,.',  arid  the   fvvectnefs  of  its   note,  which  is  ^ 
to   exceed   that  of  any   other   bird  ;    but  Jt 
cannot  hve  out  of  its  own  -climate.     The    leas   and   - 
bays  of  this  coafl  abound    with   the   fined  and  rnoft 
delicious  /  kind,  and  were  preferred  by 

the  ancients  to  ihofe  of  Europe, 

ANTIQUITIES  and  CURIOSITIES. 

THESE  matters  are  well  worth  the  attention  of 
an  antiquary,  but  they  are  difficult  of  accefs.  The 
reader  mud  naturally  conclude  that  the  countries 
which  were  once  under  the  dominion  oftheCar- 
thagenians,  and  the  pride  of  the  Phoenician,  Greek, 
lloman  works,  are  replete  with  the  mod curious 
remains  of  antiquity,  but  they  lie  fcatteretd  among 
ignorant  and  barbarous  inhabitants.  Some  remains 
of  the  Mauritanian  and  Numidian  greatnefs  are  Mill 
viiible,  and  many  ruins  which  bear  evidence  of  their 
ancient  grandeur  and  populoufnefs.  Theie  point 
out  the  old  Julia  Csefarea  of  the  Romans,  which  was 
little  inferior  in  magnificence  to  Carthage  itfelf. 
A  few  cf  the  aqueducts  of  Carthage  are  laid  to  be 
full  remaining,  but  no  veftige  of  its  walls.  The 
fame  is  the  fate  of  Uttica,  and  many  other  renown 
ed  cities  of  antiquity  ;  arid  io  over-run  is  the  cond^ 
try  with  barbarifm,  that  their  very  fcites  are  not 
known  even  by  their  ruins,  amphitheatres,  and 
other  public  buildings  which  ft  ill  remain  in  tolera 
ble  preiervation.  Befldes  thofe  of  claffical  antiqui 
ty,  many  Saracen  monuments  of  the  moft  dupen- 
dous  magnificence,  are  likevvife  found  in  this  tract 
of  country.  Thelc  were  erected  under  the  califs 

cf 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS.     137 

of  Bagdad,  and  the  ancient  kings  of  the  country, 
before  it  was  fubdued  by  the  Turks,  or  reduced  to 
its  prefent  form  of  government.  Their  walls  form 
the  principal  fortifications  in  the  country,  both  in 
land  and  maratimc.  We  know  of  few  or  no  natu 
ral  curiofities  belonging  to  the  States  of  Barbary, 
^except  its  fait  pits,  which  in  fome  places  take  up  an 
area  of  fix  miles.  Doclor  Shaw  mentions  fprings 
found  here  that  are  fo  hot  as  to  boil  a  Urge  piece  of 
mutton  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

The  hot  baths  of  Meereegi  in  the  neighbour* 
hool  of  the  city  of  Algiers  are  alfo  natural  cuii- 
ofities.  The  principal  one  is  twelve  feet  fquare 
sad  four  feet,  deep.  The  water  is  very  hot,  and 
when  it  has  filled  the  larger  b.jfon,  it  runs  through 
into  another  of  a  f -nailer  dze,  where  ihe  Jews 
bathe,  for  they  are  not  permitted  to  ufe  the  fame 
buh  with  the  Mahometans*  Tbefe  hot  fountains 
are  conjectured  to  proceed  from  the  great  quanti 
ties  of  fulphur,  nitre,  and  other  inflamable  fubftan- 
ces  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth.  To  this  cauie  like- 
vviie  have  been  a&ribed  thole  earthquakes,  to 
which  the  whole  country,  and  Algieisin  particular, 
is  frequently  fubj-^lecl. 

The  city  of  Algiers  has  few  fubjecls  of  antiquity, 
and  little  that  ments  the  attention  of  the  curious, 
There  are,  however,  upon  the  to^er  of  the  great 
mofqi.ie  fome  broken  infcriptions  ,*  but  the  letters, 
though  i'-Uliciently  large  to  be  feen  at  a  d  ilia  nee, 
are  to  filial  up  with  li:ne  and  whitcwafh  that  they 
;  can  not  be  particularly  diilinguilhed, 

INHABITANTS. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  territory  of  Algiers,  and 
particularly  \\iok  along  the  fea-coafts,  are  a  mix- 

M   2  turc 


138      DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS. 

ture  of  different  nations  ;  fuc'n  as  Moors  and  Mordf-.j 
cos  driven  out  of  Catalonia,  ^rragon,  and  cthrr  panfe 
of  Spain,about  the  end  of  thefixteenth  century,  Jc\vs,v 
Jaaiianes,  and  great  numbers  of  lurks,  who  c 
from  the  Levant  to  feek  their  fortune;  as  well  as- 
rnuiitud^s  of  Chriflian  Haves,  &c. 

The  Berebers  are  fome  of  the  moft  ancient  inha 
bitants  of  the  country  ;  and  are  iuppofed  to  be  de- 
fcended  from  the  ancient  Sabeans,  who  came  hither 
from  Arabia  lrelix,  under  the  conduct  of  one  of  their 
princes.  Others  believe  them  to  be  the  defen 
dants  of  forne  of  the  Canaanites,  who  were  driven 
out  of  Paledinc  by  Jo(ru>a.  Thefe  are  Jifperfed  all 
over  Barbary,  and  divided  into  a  multitude  of 
tribes  under  their  refpe&ive  chiefs  ;  mod  of  thera 
inhibit  the  mountainous  parts  ;  fome  range  from 
place  to  place,  and  live  in  tents,  or  portable  huts; 
others  in  festered  viii^rs;  they  have,  never- 
thelefs,  kept  th  -r\  intermixing  with 

other    nations.     The  ?s    are   reckoned    the 

richeft  of  all,  go  better  clothed,  and  carry  on  a 
much  larger  traffic  in  cattle,  hides,  wax,  honey, 
TroJi,  anci  other  commodities.  They  have  aifo 

:    artificers    in    iron,   and   lome    manufacturers 

in     the    weaving     branch.       1  he    name    of   Bert- 

bcr    is   ftipirMeJ    to    have    been    originally     given 

:hc,T)  01  account  of  their  beinir  firft  fettled   in  feme 

d^ilut  place.      Upon  their  encreailng    in    procefs  of 

thi'v  divxied  themleb-es  iuto  five  tribes,  pro^ 

ount  of  their  religious  differences,  cal- 

the   Z;nhagian$,  Mufamedixs,  Zeneti,  Hoare.s? 

Gowns',  and  ihefe  haviirg  produced  600  fa- 
;;-,9  n.h'vii-.  iclcd  themfelves  into  a  great  number 
•^r-ttv  sri!  es. 

fe  we  rnav  add    frte   Zwowahs,  by  Euro- 

i   authors  called    the    Azuagues,  «r   /Ij/zgues*. 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS.     1:9 

-who  are  likewife  difperfed  over  moft  parts  of  Bar- 
bary  and  Numidia.  Great  numbers  of  thefe  inha 
bit  the  mountainous  parts  of  Cuco,  Labez,  &c* 
leading  a  wandering  pailoral  life.  The  African 
hillorians  affure  us  that  they  are  fome  of  the  defcen- 
dantsof  thole  Phoenicians  or  Canaanites,  who  tied 
from  Jofhua  and  the  Ifraelites,  according  to  an  in- 
fcription  in  the  Punic  tongue  engraved  on  a  (loce 
at  a.  fountain,  thus,  We  are  fled  hither  Jro?n  the 
pre fence  of  that  great  robber  Jo  SUVA  the  Jon  of 
NUN*  They  are  a  kind  ofChriftians  that  neither 
llvave  their  beards,  nor  cut  their  hair  ;  and  affeft 
to  wear  a  blue  crois  painted  or  burnt  on  their 
cheek  or  hand  by  way  of  diftinclion. 

But  the  moft  numerous  inhabitants  are  the  Mo 
and  Arabs,  who  trace  their  defcent  from   thofV 
ciples  of    Mahomet,     who    formerly    fubdued    this 
country  ;    the  former  compofe  the  great  body  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the   towns.      But    it    may    readily   be 
fuppofed  that  among  fuch  a  variety  of  different  ra 
ces,  immenfe  numbers  cannot  be  ('aid  to  belong    to 
any  particular  tribe  or  nation  whatever. 

In  this  country  there  are  many  wandering  lards 
of  thefe  Ar:Vos,  who  live  together  in  carr.ps,  c.nd 
remove  from  one  place  to  another  as  they  want 
piil  ire  for  their  herds  and  flocks,  or  as  any  other 
accidental  circumftance  happens  to  make  it  necef- 
f.irv.  Thev  fo  me  times  p^y  rent  to  landlords  la 
c  >rn,  fruit,  honey,  wax,  and  other  productions  ; 
and  the  dey  likewife  demands  a  tribute  from  them. 
The  excellence  of  the  climate  renders  this  firrple 
wav7  of  living  tolerable,  though  the  tents  of  thefe 
people  are  mean,  their  utenfils  of  little  value,  and 
their  lodgings  filthy-  The  family  and  their  do- 
nie'Hc  animals  lie  promifcuonlly  in  the  fame  terts 
together,  except  their  dogs,  which  are  left  as  guards 


T4o      DESCRIPTION   OF    ALGIERS. 

on  the  outfide.     They  raife  considerable    numbers 
of  bees,  and  (ilk  worms.     They  fubfift  chiefly  on 
bread,  rice  and  fruit.      Wine  and  ipiritous  liquors   \ 
ire  aimoil  entirely  unknown  to  them.  \ 

The  drefs  of  the  men  who  compofe  thefe  tribes 
Is  only  a  long  piece  of  coarfe  cloth  wrapped  round 
their  (boulders,  and  falling  down  to  their  ancles, 
v/ith  a  cap  of  the  fame  Ruff".  The  flicik,  or  chief 
of  a  tribe,  wears  a  cap  cf  fine  cloth.  The  women 
pay  fome  more  attention  to  the  ornamental  part  of 
their  drcfs  ;  but  their  children  are  fuffered  to  go 
ftark  naked, till  feven  or  eight  years  cf  age. 

The  cufloms,  language  and  religion  of  thefe 
fbepherds  bear  a  ft  rift  affinity  to  thefe  of  Arabia, 
They  are  robuft,  and  of  a  fwarthy  complexion.  The 
men  are  aclive,  the  women  prolific,  and  the  chil 
dren  healthy.  They  have  neither  to  encounter  the 
hardfliips  incident  to  the  life  of  a  North  American 
iavage,  nor  are  their  conftitutions  enfeebled,  as  is 
the  cafe  in  manufacturing  towns,  by  fedentary  and 
unhealthy  employments. 

When  a  young  man  of  thefe  tribes  would  marry 
lie  drives  a  number  of  cattle  to  the  hut  where  the 
parents  of  his  miftrefs  refide.  The  bride  is  let  on 
horfeback,  and  led  home  aniidft  the  fnouts  of  a 
croud  of  young  people,  who  have  been  invited  to 
the  nuptial  feaft.  When  (he  arrives  at  the  hut  of 
1'icr  lover,  a  mixture  of  milk  and  honey  is  given  her 
to  drink,  and  a  fong,  fui table  to  the  occafion,  is 
fun.'T.  She  then  alights,  and  is  preferred  with  a 
frirk,  which  the  thrufls  into  the  ground,  and  re 
peat*  Ibrne  words  to  the  following  erre£i  '.  tl  As  this 
61  flick,  is  faflened  in  the  earth,  fo  am  I  in  duty 
"  bound  to  my  hufband  ;  as  nothing  but  violence 
"  can  remove  it,  fo  death  alone  (hall  force  me 
"  fioui  his  love."  She  then  drives  his  Keck  to 

water 


DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS,      141 

water  and  back  again,. to  {hew  her  willitfgncfs  to 
perform  any  duty  that  he  may  affign.her.  Thefe 
previous  ceremonies  being  fettled,  all  the  compa 
ny  enter  the  hut,  and  the  evening  concludes  with 
the  greatefl  feitivity  that  thefe  people  are  capable 
of  enjoying.  After  the  marriage  the  wife  is  obliged 
to  wear  a  veil,  and  fhe  never  ilirs  from  her  hut  for 
the  fpacc  of  a  month, 

The  Arabs  are  (lout,  warlike,  and  fkil'ful  horfe- 
ir.cn.  Their  principal  arms  are  a  ft.ort  lance  and 
a  fcymitar,  and  they  are  likewifc  acquainted  with 
the  bow  and  the -mufket*  But  they  are  fo  addicted 
to  robbing,  that  one  cannot  fafely  travel  through 
the  country  at  a  diftance  from  the  towns  without  a 
guard,  or  at  lead  a  marabout  or  faint  for  a  fafc- 
guard.  For  they  look  upon  thernfelves  to  be  the 
original  proprietors  of  the  countiy,  and  not  only  as 
difpoileffed  by  the  red  of  the  inhabitants,  but  redu 
ced  by  them  to  the  lowed  (late  of  poverty,  and  in 
confequence  they  make  no  fcruple  to  plunder  all 
they  meet  by  way  of  reprifal. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  country,  efpecially  thofe 
near  the  fea-coads,  generally  ftibfm  by  piracy  ; 
they  ara  allowed  to  be  bold  intrepid  mariners,  and 
will  fight  defperately  when  they  meet  with  a  prize 
at  fea.  They  are,  notwithstanding,  far  inferior  to 
the  Engliili,  and  other  European  dates,  both  in  the 
conllru6\ion  and  management  of  their  veflels. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  metropolis  are  extremely 
vicious  ;  and  it  is  a  general  obfervation  that  the 
more  diftant  the  people  are  from  the  feat  of  go 
vernment,  the  purer  are  their  manners.  Notwith- 
ftandiug  their  poverty,  they  have  much  vivacity 
about  them,  efpecially  thofe  who  are  of  Arabic  de- 
fcent,  which  gives  them  an  air  of  contentment ;  .and 


142      DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS. 

having   little   to  lofe,  they    are   peaceable 
themfelves. 

The  Turks  who  compofe  the  military  force, 
have  great  privileges,  pay  no  taxes,  and  are  ex 
empted  from  public  pun i foment.  The  lowed  iol- 
dier  domineers  over  the  mo'l  diilinguilhed  Moors 
at  plea iu re.  The  people  are  fubje&ed  to  the  mod 
abiblute  defpotifrn,  and  moft  cruelly  opprefled  by 
a  handfuf  of  infalent  Turks,  the  refufe  of  the  ftreets 
of  Conftantinople.  If  a  Turk  finds  a  Moor  bet 
ter  mounted  than  himfelf,  he  takes  the  liberty  of 
exchanging  horfes  without  leave  or  ceremony,  and 
he  will  take  apples,  oranges,  nuts  and  other  arti 
cles  which  the  Moors  bring  to  market,  with  as 
much  indifference  as  if  they  were  his  property. 
The  Turks  have  the  exclufive  privilege  of  carrying 
fire-arms.  Such  is  the  defpotifrn  of  the  Turkifh 
fbl-iiers  that  they  not  only  turn  others  out  of  the 
way  in  the  ftrcets,  but  will  go  to  the  farm  houfes 
in  the  country  for  twenty  days  together,  living  on 
free  quarters,  and  making  ufe  of  every  thing,  not 
excepting  the  wooicn.  They  are  ufed  more  like 
men  of  quality  than  private  centinels.  They  arc 
lodged  in  fpacious  fquares,  attended  by  (laves,  and 
generally  maintained  at  the  public  expence.  The 
arrny  of  the  dey  is  principally  compofed  of  Turkiih 
foldiers,  who  arc  called  Janifaries  ,*  and  though 
their  numbers  are  final  1 9  yet  they  tyrannize  in  the 
mofl  inlolcnt  manner  over  the  native  Moors 
throughout  the  whole  country.  Some  good  qua 
lities,  however,  diftinguhh  them,  notwithstanding 
this  excefs  of  defpotifm.  They  never  game  for 
money,  nor  even  trifles;  and  what  cannot  be  faid 
of  Chrillians,  they  never  profane  the  name  of  the 
Deity,  They  foon  forget  their  private  quarrels-; 
and  after  the  firft  paroxyfm  of  refentrnent  has  fub- 

fded, 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      143 

flded,  if  is  infamy  for  a  Turk  to  keep  in  remem 
brance  the  injuries  he  has  received.  In. this  refpe<5t 
they  are  lefs  barbarous  than  other  nations  that  b0ail 
of'  their  civilization. 

When  deficiencies  happen  in  the  army  their  cor- 
fairs  are  fent  out  to  the  Levant  to  "procure  recruits, 
which  generally  ccnfift  of  peafants,  outlaws,  and 
perfons  of  the  rreaneil  conditions.  Mahomet  Ra- 
fhaw  who  was  dey  about  the  year  1732,  was  of  this 
defcription,  and  in  his  celebrated  dilute  with  the 
deputy  of  a  neighbouring  ration  he  faid,  Wy  mo 
ther  fold  fieep's  jeet  and  my  j at  her  neat's  tongues, 
but  they  would  fare  betn  afl'iamed  to  have  expofed 
to  fait  J"ch  a  tongue  as  i.ours*  Thcfe  recruits,  af 
ter  they  have  been  a  little  inflrucled  by  their  fel 
low  ^olHiers,  and  are  fur*iilhed  with  caps  to  their 
heads,  (Voes  to  their  feet,  and  a  pair  of  knives  to 
their  girdles,  quickly  1  egin  to  atTume  airs  of  im 
portance,  and  look  upon  the  moft  confiderable  ci 
tizens  as  their  ilaves. 

The  Algerines  eat  as  in  Turkey,  fitting  crofs 
legged  round  a  table  about  four*  inches  high,  and  tile 
neither  knives  nor  forks  in  eating.  Before  they  be 
gin,  every  one  fays  Bf  ifme  /Hah,  "  in  the  rame 
"  of  God.n  When  they  have  done,  a  flave  pours 
water  on  their  hands  as  they  fit,  and  then  they  wafh 
their  mouths.  Their  drink  is  water,  (herbet  and 
coffee.  Wine  is  not  allowed,  though  drank  immo 
derately  by  fome. 

Both  the  men  and  women  fpend  a  great  part  of 
their  time  in  indolence,  the  men  in  drinking  cof 
fee  and  fmoking,  and  the  women  in  drelTing,  bath 
ing,  converfing  on  their  fophas,  vifiting  the  tombs  of 
their  relations,  arid  walking  in  their  gardens. 

The  Algerines  in  general,  particularly  about  the 
fea-ceafts,  have  a  pretty  fair  complexion  ;  but  thofe 


:fj.     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

in  the  interior  parts  of  the  country,  and  particular^ 
ly  the  Arabs,  are  fwarthy  They  are  robuft  anal 
well  proportioned,  and  expert  in  the  ufe  of  fire 
arms*  The  Algerine  women  are  beautiful  in  their 
perfons,  and  very  delicate  in  their  complexions,  but 
the  men  are  fun-burnU  They  improve  the  beauty 
of  their  eyes  by  art,  particularly  by  the  powder  of 
lead  ore,  the  fame  pigment,  according  to  the  opini 
on  of  the  learned  Doctor  Shaw,  that  Jezebel  made 
ufe  of  when  (he  is  faid  to  have  painted  her  face ;  * 
the  words  of  the  original  being  that  (he  let  off  her 
eyes  with  the  powder  of  lead  ore. 

The  Algerines  by  theiu  law  may  have  four  wives, 
but  they  uiualiy  content  themfelves  with  two,  or 
three  at  the  moil.  The  hufband  feldom  ices  his  wife 
before  marriage,  but  accepts  her  upon  the  defcrip- 
tion  of  a  female  confidant.  When  the  ma^fa  is 
agreed  upon,  the  bridegroom  fends  a  prefem  of 
fweetrneats  to  the  bride,  and  entertains  her  rela 
tions  with  a  feaft  and  a  mufical  entertainment. 

After  the  death  of  a  man  his  corps  is  attended  by  a 
number  of  his  male'friends,  or  if  the  deceafed  be  a 
woman  (he  is  attended  by  her  female  friends*  The 
corps  is  wadied  with  warm  foap-fuds  and  wrapt  in 
clean  linen.  It  is -then  laid  in  a  coffin  covered 
with  green  cloth,  upon  which  a  turban  is  placed, 
and  carried  with  the  head  forward  to  the  grave,  at 
tended  by  women  who  are  hired  to  lament.  Thel'e 
women  fcratch  themfelves  till  the  blood  runs,  dif- 
tort  their  countenances  and  make  a  mod  hideous 
noife.  As  the  proccffion  enters  the  burial"  ground 
forne  marabouts  (ing  without  intermiilion  thefe 
words,  Lahilla  Lah  Mahomet  rcjfcul allah,  "  God  is 
"  God  and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet. "  It  Is  then 

placed 

*  2  Kings,  chap.  Ix.  ver.  ;c. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     145 

placed  in  the  grave  in  an  erect  podure,  with  the 
face  turned  towards  the  fouth.  If  the  deceafed  has 
been  a  perfon  of  diftin&ion  grave  denes  are  erec 
ted  at  his  head  and  feet,  with  epitaphs,  infcriptions, 
or  feleft  ientences  out  of  the  Alcoran. 

The  chief  furniture  of  their  houfes  confifts  of  car 
pets  and  nvattrafles,  on  which  they  fit  and  lie.  In 
eating  their  ilovenlinefs  is  difgufting.  They  are 
prohibited  gold  arid  filver  vcffels,  and  their  meat, 
which  they  {wallow  by  handfuls,  is  boiled  or  rcaft- 
ed  to  rags.  Their  ordinary  food  is  rice  and  fine 
flour  made  into  frnali  grains  like  {hot,  which  they 
call  Cuzcuz  ;  both  which  they  boil  with  meat  and 
fowls,  and  mod  commonly  eat  fruit  and  herbs  with 
them. 

The  people  in  general  in  travelling  walk  on  foot 
or  ufe  alTes,  and  feldom  ride  on  horfeback, except  the 
governors  of  provinces  and  other  great  peribnages. 
The  women  feldom  walk  on  foot;  but  ride  upon  affes 
in  a  iquare  box  covered  with  a  kind  of  canopy  and 
drawn  round  with  curtains.  So  that  they  are  entirely 
concealed,  and  when  they  fet  out  upon  their  journey 
they  are  attended  by  a  driver. 

DRESS. 

The  drefs  of  the  people  in  general  is  a  linen  (Hit, 
over  which  they  tie  a  filk  or  cloth  veftn  ent  with  a 
fafh,  and  over  that  a  loole  coat.  1  heir  drawers  are 
made  of  linen.  The  aims  and  legs  of  the  wearer  are 
bare  ;  but  they  have  flippers  on  their  feet,  and  per- 
ibns  of  rank  fometirres  wear  bv.fkins.  '1  hey  never 
move  their  turbans,  but  pull  cfl  their  flippers  when 
they  attend  religious  duties,  or  the  perfcn  of  their 
Sovereign.  They  are  fend  of  (biped  and  farcied 
iilks.  The  viceroy  and  great  men  let  their  beards 
N  grow ; 


i46*  DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS. 

grow  ;  but  the  common  people  fhave  both  their  head 
and  face,  and  only  leave  a  pair  of  whiskers,  and  a? 
lock  of  hair    upon  the  top  of  the  head,  by   which 
they  fancy  they  are  drawn  up  toparadife. 

The  drefs  of  the  common  people  is  very  plain  ; 
they  wear  a  pair  of  linen  drawers  over  their  fhirt, 
and  a  loofe  white  woolen  jacket  with  a  hood  be 
hind,  or  a  mantle  which  is  commonly  black,  and 
reaches  only  down  to  the  knee,  in  which  they 
wrap  thernfelves  ;  but  in  fummer  they  only  wear 
two  ihirts. 

The  men  of  fafhion  go  more  fumptuoufly  clad. 
Their  gowns  are  made  of  fur,  filk,  or  cloth  :  they 
have  rich  garments  finely  embroidered  with  flowers 
of  gold  ;  their  turbans  are  vevy  curioufly  done  up, 
and  elegantly  adorned  with  jewels  ;  and  their  legs 
are  covered  with  boots  of  mining  leather. 

The  women  pay  more  attention  to  the  ornamen 
tal  part  of  drefs  than  men.  -There  is  not,  however, 
much  difference  between  the  drefs  of  the  fexes  ; 
the  drawers  of  the  women  are  longer,  and  inftead 
of  a  turban,  they  wear  a  fort  of  cawl  on  their  heads* 
They  tic  their  hair  behind,  and  ornament  it  with 
jewels  and  other  trinkets.  They  wear  fine  col- 
Jars  about  their  necks,  bracelets  about  their  wrifts, 
Jarge  pendants  in  their  ears,  and  curious  caps  on 
thtir  heads.  When  they  go  abroad  they  ufuaily 
throw  over  their  faces  a  fine  veil,  which  they  faften 
to  their  breaft,  and  over  their  garments  they  wear 
an  upper  robe  ;  fo  that  they  are  not  known,  but  by 
the  ilaves  that  attend  them. 

LANGUAGE. 

THE  Algerines  are  void  of  all  literature.  The 
original  language  of  this  country  appears  to  have 

been 


DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS.      147 

been  the  Phoenician  ;  after  which  the  Romans  obli 
ged  them  to  exchange  it  (as  they  did  all  their  con 
quered  dominions)  for  their  own.  The  Arabs  af 
tervvards  introduced  theirs,  and  after  them  the 
Turks.  The  native  Moors  make  ufe  of  the  Moref- 
co  ;  but  the  people  of  Algiers  in  general  fpeak  a 
compound  of  Arabic,  Morefco,  and  the  remains  of 
the  ancient  Phoenician  language.  ]n  the  metropo 
lis  the  Mahometans  and  Chriftians  ufe  the  Lingua 
Franca,  a  mixture  of  Spaniih,  Portuguefe,  Italian 
and  French.  The  natives  of  all  denominations  fcr 
the  moil  part,  underhand  this  diale6l,  which,  with 
out  being  the  proper  language  of  any 'country  on 
the  coatt  of  the  Mediterranean,  has  a  kind  of  uru- 
verfal  currency  all  over  that  quarter  of  the  world, 
as  the  channel  of  information  for  people  who  can 
not  Undcrftand  each  other  through  any  other  medi 
um.  The  public  bufinefs  of  the  nation  is  tranf- 
acled  either  in  the  Arabic  or  Turkifli,  but  common 
ly  the  former,  in  which  their  late  treaty  with  the 
United  States  of  America  is  written. 

It  is  curious  thai  in  converiation,  the  Turks  tranf- 
pofe  their  nouns  and  verbs,  in  the  fame  manner 
that  the  Greek  and  Latin  writers  have  done.  The 
Turkifh  is  a  lofty  language,  and  the  Turks  when 
they  fpeak  afFecl  a  (ingular  majefly  of  tone,  as  ex- 
preffive  of  their  fuperiority  :  which,  however,  con- 
fifts  in  nothing  but  their  indolence,  for  they  are 
neither  men  of  learning,  nor  warriors,- — a  truth 
that  the  Ruffians  have  long  taught  them. 

GOVERNMENT. 

THOUGH  Algiers  has  fome  appearance  of  a  mili 
tary  republic,  yet  it  is  in  fact  the  moR  horrible  of 
all  monarchies  in  the  world,  and  as  mutable  in  its 

principles 


T43     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

principles  as  the   temper    and    difpofulon  of  thoic 
diifcr,  who  happea  to  be  in  administration. 

Algiers  was  formerly  fubject  to  the  Grand  Signior, 
and  is  ilili  under  his  protection  ;  but  the  dey  at  pre- 
i'ent  pays  no  other  tribute  to  him,  than  that  of  a 
certain  number  of  beautiful  Arabian  horfes,  and 
To  ne  other  prefents  which  are  fent  thither  annually. 
The  Grand  Signior  formerly  fent  a  baihavv,  or 
viceroy,  to  Algiers,  in  whom  the  fovereignty  was 
veiled  ;  but  thofe  officers  frequently  excrcifed  ths 
sflofl  tyrannical  power,  and  exacted  from  the  peo 
ple  fuch  exorbitanftaxes,  as  produced  popular  in- 
furtefitions^  till  at  length  ih-s  Janifarles  and  null- 
tia  grew  to  powerful  that  they  depofed  them  and  e- 
lecled  others  in  their  ftead  ;  at  which  the  Porte 
was  obliged  to  connive,  leit  they  ihould  be  pro 
voked  to  an  opea  revolt,  and  entirely  throw  off  the 
Turkish  yoke  ;  fmce  which  time  the  power  of  the 
Pi>rte  has  been  fo  gradually  diminirhed  that  he  can 
do  nothing  here  without  the  concurrence  of  the 
dey. 

The  fuprema  authority  of  ftate  is  vefted  in  the 
dey,  who  is  an  elective  monarch,  and  his  fons 
never  inherit  the  fovereignty  by  defcent.  He  is 
eieited  by  the  divan,  and  is  compelled  to  accept 
the  reins  of  government  under  penalty  of  death. 
He  feldom  fecures  hh  office  without  tumult  and 
bbolihed,  and  often  falls  by  the  dagger  of  an  af- 
faflin  :  fo  that  out  of  fix  deys  that  have  reigned 
fines  1700,  four  of  them  have  been  actually  mur- 
dereJ,  and  a  fifth  rcfigned  to  fave  his  life.  The 
bailnws  leMom  fail  of  forming  parties  among  the 
foldiers  a^aiail  him,  and  they  make  no  fcruple  to 
aiTalli  nte  him  even  in  council,  and  the  llrongeft 
candidate  then  fills  his  place.  An  unfuccefsful 

expeditioa, 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      149 

expedition,  or  too  pacific  a  conduft,  feldorn  fails 
to  put  an  end  to  his  life  and  government. 

The  way  in  which  his  authority  is  exercifed, 
correfponds  with  that  by  which  it  has  been  obtain 
ed.  When  Mr.  Bruce,  as  Britifh  refident  at  Al 
giers,  had  occailon  to  vifit  the  dey,  he  fays  he 
fometimes  found  him  in  his  hall  of  audience,  with 
his  clothes  all  befpattered  with  blood  like  thoie  of  a 
carcafe  butcher.  It  is  a  very  frequent  amufement 
with  him,  to  caufe  the  heads  of  his  fubjecls  to  be 
ftr:ick  oif  in  his  prefence.  Mr.  Bruce  fa  id  that 
he  knew  of  one  man  who  was  executed  for  no 
greater  offence  than  becauic  a  gun-flint  was  found 
upon  him-  His  indictment  and  trial  were  very  con- 
cife  :  "  You- rafcai,  what  buGnefs  have  you  with 
a  flint  unlefs  you  were  going,  to  confpire  againft 
the  Aate  ?" 

The  firft  deys  were  ele&ed  by  the  militia  ,*  who 
were  then  called  the  divan,  or  common  council; 
which  was  at  firft  compofed  of  800 -militia  officers, 
without  whofe  concurrence  he  could  do  nothing  ,*  and 
upon  fome  urgent  occasions,  ail  the  officers  refiding 
in  Algiers  amounting  to  1500,  were  furnmoned  to 
affift  :  but  at  prefent  he  is  perhaps  the  moil  defnotic 
prince  in  the  world.  He  is  abridged  of  no  power 
whatever  in  adrniniftration,  and  the  divan,  though 
they  have  aiTumed  a  very  pompous  title*  have  little 
elfe  to  do  but  to  ratify  his  decrees.  The  divan  is 
compofed  of  perforis  entirely  of  his  own  election 
whom  he  removes  at  pleafure.  Upon  important 
occafions  he  fomctimes  aiTembles  the  divan  to  receive 
their  advice  ;  but  his  only  motive  in  this  is  to  fcreen 
hirnfelf  againft  popular  difcontents  ;  for  his  autho 
rity  is  unlimited,  and  he  may  either  ratify  or  reject 
their  d^cifions  as  he  pleaies.  When  the  Grand 
N  2  Signior 


150    DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS. 

Slgnior  is  at  war  with  a  Cbriftian  power,  he  gene 
rally  requires  his  affiftance  ;    but  he  is  only  obeyed^ 
as  the  dey  thinks  proper, 

The  dey  has  a  corps  of  body-guards  called  foul- 
acks.  This  is  a  very  neceflary,  though  fometimes 
a  truitleis  precaution,  as  any  1  urkiih  foldier  who  has 
the  courage  to  murder  him,  (lands  an  equal  chance 
of  becoming  his  fucccflbr.  Experiments  ofthisk;nd 
are  fometimes  made.  Since  the  beginning  of  the 
prefent  century,  fix  private  foldiers  entered  into  a 
confpiracy  to  kill  a  dey  of  one  of  the  Mates  of  Bar- 
bary.  They  gave  him  a  mortal  wound  in  his  pa 
lace,  and  in  the  midft  of  a  croud  of  people.  He 
expired,  exclaiming,  "  Has  nobody  the  courage  to 
"  kill  the  villain  ?"  One  of  the  con-fpirators,  the 
intended  fuccefTor,  inftantly  afcended  the  vacant 
throne,  and  brandifhing  his  naked  fcymitar,  decla 
red  that  he  would  dojujlice  to  alt  I  His  five  affociates 
went  about  the  hall  to  enforce  the  title  of  their  new 
fovereign,  and  none  prefent  feemed  to  give  them- 
felves  any  difturbance  about  what  had  happened. 
He  kept  his  fitualion  unrnolefted,  for  about  ten  mi 
nutes,  till  an  old  veteran  unobferved  took  aim  at  him 
with  a  mufket,  and  (hot  him  dead.  Upon  this  the 
five  others  were  immediately  murdered.  But  what 
fhowed  the  nature  of  the  government  ;ti  its  proper 
light  was  the  obfervation  of  the  new  dey,  who  faid, 
that  if  the  ufurper  could  have  held  his  place  for 
twenty  minutes  longer,  he  would  have  obtained  the 
fovereignty. 

The  officer  next  in  power  to  the  dey  is  the 
CafTan-aga  or  Caffan-ajee,  the  p-ime  rninifler  of 
ftate.  He  keeps  one  let  of  the  keys  of  the 
treafury,  the  dey  another,  and  the  aga  a  third, 
where  they  all  attend  once  a  month  to  pay  the 
foldiers. 

The 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     151 

The  officer  next  in  power  is  the  Agi  or  general 
of  the  Jariilaries,  who  is  one  of  the  oldel  officers  in 
the  army,  and  holds  his  poll  as  all  other  officers  do, 
at  the  pleaiure  of  the  dey.  During  the  time  i.l»e  aga 
e-ijoys  his  dignity,  the  keys  of  the  metropolis  are 
cle.ivered  to  him.  All  military  orders  are  iflued 
in  his  name,  and  the  fentence  of  the  dey  upon  any 
offending  foKiier,  whether  capital  or  not,  can  only 
be  executed  in  the  court  of  his  palace. 

The  next  to  the  aga  in  dignity,  is  the  Secretary 
of  State,  who  regifters  all  the  public  acts  ;  and  af 
ter  him  the  Mojecabeily,  who  is  a  kind  of  chief 
juftice  to  fettle  difputes  among  the  Moors.  This 
oPncer,  and  the  two  laft  mentioned,  attend  at  the 
door  eft  he  dey 's  palace  every  morning  about  day 
break,  in  order  to  kifs  his  hand. 

The  next  in  dignity  is  the  Vekelard,  or  rather 
Vikelhadgeof  the  marine,  who  is  the  guardian  of 
the  navy,  from  whom  all  maritime  orders  iflfue. 
He  is  feated  beneath  an  arch  near  the  fea-fide 
called  the  /biff,  from  which  he  has  a  full  view  of 
the  trani'a6tions  in  the  marine. 

Below  him  fits  the  Baleck  bafhaw,  who  is  a  kind 
of  bailiff  to  execute  his  commands.  He  takes 
charge  of  the  magazines  of  the  marine  ;  all  naval 
articles  are  under  his  infpe&ion,  and  the  keys  of  all 
the  magazines  in  the  town  are  entrufted  to  his 
care. 

The  flojee  of  the  Rap  has  the  charge  of  the  ma 
gazines  of  wheat  in  the  town  ;  under  him  are  feve- 
ral  inferior  hojees  who  execute  his  orders.  No 
Have  can  rife  higher  than  this  office. 

The  Warden  Baibaw  is  the  next  inferior  cffcer* 
He  is  chief  overfeer  of  the  flaves,and  takes  care  that 
they  duly  perform  their  duty.  He  has  charge  of 
the  Bagnio  Gailaro,  the  keys  of  which  are  deliver- 

ed 


153     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

ed  him  every  night  by  one    of  his  under  wardens\ 
who  keeps  the  doors.     He  has  a  number  of  undef\ 
wardens,  who  attend  the  (laves  at  their  labour. 

Befides  thefe  there  are  30  chiahs,  or  chows,  a 
kin  i  of  high  conftables,  who  fit  next  to  the  aga  in 
the  divan,  and  in  the  fame  gallery  with  him.  Out 
of  this  clais  are  generally  chofen  thofe  who  £o  em- 
bafladors  to  foreign  courts,  or  who  difperfe  the 
dey's  orders  throughout  the  realm.  Next  to  them 
.  are  a  number  of  baleck-baih iw.?,  or  eiietr.  cap 
tains,  who  are  promoted  to  that  of  chiah  bafhaws, 
according  to  their  fenioriiy.  The  oldack-balhaws, 
or  lieutenants,  are  next  ;  who  amount  to  400,  and 
are  regularly  raifed  to  the  rank  of  captains  in  their 
turn,  and  to  other  employments  in  the  Mate,  accor 
ding  to  their  abilities.  Thefe  by  way  of  diiiinciion 
wear  a  leather  (trap,  hanging  down  to  the  middle 
of  their  back.  One  rule  is  ftri'ckly  obferved  in  the 
rotation  of  thefe  troops  from  one  deputy  to  a  high 
er  ;  viz.  the  right  of  feniority  ;  one  fmgle  in 
fringement  of  which  w©uld  caufe  an  inlurreclion, 
and  probably  coft  the  dey  his  life* 

The  other  military  officers  of  note  are  vekelards, 
or  purveyors  of  the  army;  the  peys,  who  are  the 
four  oldeft  foldiers,  and  confequentiy  the  neareft 
to  preferment  ;  the  foulacks,  who  are  the  next  in 
feniority  te  them,  and  are  part  of  the  dey's  body 
guards,  always  marching  before  him  when  he  takes 
the  field,  and  diilinguifhed  by  their  carbines  and 
gilt  fcymitars,  with  a  brafs  gun  on  their  caps;  the 
kayts,  or  Turkifh  foldiers,  each  band  of  whom 
have  the  governmerrt  of  one  or  more  adowars,  or 
itenerant  villages,  and  collect  their  taxes  for  the 
dey  ;  and  the  fagiardsj  or  Turkifh  lancemen,  100 
of  whom  always  attend  the  army,  and  watch  over 
the  water  appointed  for  it.  To.  thefe  we  may  add 

the 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     153 

the  beys,  or  governors  of  the  three  great  provinces 
of  the  realm.  All  the  above-mentioned  oiiicers 
ought  to  compofe  the  great  divan  :  but  only  the 
30  chiah-balhaws  have  a  right  to  fit  in  the  gal 
lery  next  after  the  dey.  The  reft  are  obliged  to 
ftand  on  the  floor  of  the  hall,  or  council-chamber, 
with  their  arms  acrofs,  and,  as  much  as  poilible, 
without  motion  ;  neither  are  they  permitted  to  en 
ter  with  their  fv/ords  on.  As  for  thole  who  have 
any  matters  to  t  ran  fact  with  the  divan,  they  muft 
ftan  j  without,  let  the  weather  be  ever  io  bad  ;  and 
there  they  are  cosnmonly  prefer4ed  with  coifee  by 
ibaii  of  the  inferior  officers,  till  they  are  difmiffed. 

The  Lifberos  are  the  dey's  fpies,  who  keep  watch 
in  different  parts  of  the  town,  for  the  purpofe  of 
obtaining  information  of  what  is  laid  or  tranfa&ed. 
Th^y  are  perhaps  the  mod  mercenary  and  inhu 
man  fet  of  beings  in  exiftence,  and  fuch  is  their 
fertility  to  their  fovereign,  that  they  would  betray 
even  their  own  fathers*  When  they  lodge  informa 
tion  againfl  any  perfon,  the  chows  are  fent  to  ar- 
re(t  the  delinquent,  and  he  is  punifhed  according 
to  his  crime. 

The  divan,  or  douwan,  is  the  common  council  of 
the  nation.  It  is  an  elective  body,  and  is  princi 
pally  compofed  of  30  chiah-bafbaws,  with  now  and 
then  the  mufti  and  cadi  upon  fome  emergencies  ; 
and  on  the  election  of  a  dey  the  whole  foldiery  are 
allowed  to  come  in  and  give  their  votes.  All  the 
regulations  of  ftate  ought  to  be  determined  by  this 
afiembly,  before  they  pafs  into  a  law,  or  the  dey 
has  power  to  put  them  in  execution.  But,  for  ma 
ny  years  back,  the  divan  is  of  fo  little  account  that 
it  is  only  convened  out  of  formality,  and  to  give  af- 
fent  to  what  the  dey  and  his  favourites  have  previ- 
cuOy  concerted.  They,  however,  arrogate  to  them- 

felves 


ijf     DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS. 

/elves  the  whole  power  of  the  ftate,  and  in  their  edicYi 
or  national  ordinances  they  alTume  the  pompous  title  . 
of,  "   We  the  great  and  fmall  members  of  the  pow-  ' 
erful  and   invincible  militia  of  Algiers  and  of  the 
whole  kingdom,    do  ordain,0  &c. 

All  caufes  whether  civil  or  criminal,  in  which 
the  foldiers  are  concerned,  are  tried  in  this  coun 
cil  ;  but  thofe  between  the  citizens  are  decided  before 
one  of  the  chiah»ba(haws,  and  the  plaintiffs  and  de 
fendants  always  plead  their  own  caufes  without  the 
affiftance  of  aUornics.  The  evidence  of  two  witneffes 
is  always  required,  end  he  who  iscaft  upon  any  trial 
receives  a  number  of  blows  with  acudgei,  and  is  com 
pelled  befides  to  comply  with  the  lenience  that  has 
been  pafTed. 

While  the  divan  are  convened  the  dey  holds  a  fan 
of  feathers  in  his  hand,  and  fits  vjcrofs-l egged, 
afr^r  the  manner  of  tayiors,  upon  a  large  table 
about  two  feet  high,  covered  with  a  (baggy  carpe 
Six  of  the  principal  chiahs  arc  icated  in  the  fame 
manner  on  his  right,  and  fix  on  his  left.  The  reft 
of  the  members  (land  at  both  ends  of  the  table,  and 
form  a  kind  of  circle. 

The  methjd  of  gathering  votes  in  this  auguft 
affetttbly  is  psrfeftly  agreeable  to  the  character  of 
thofe  who  compole  it.  The  aga,  or  the  prefident 
pro  tempore,  firft  propoft-s  the  quettion  ;  which 
is  immediately  repeated  with  a  loud  voice  by  the 
chiah-balhaws,  and  from  them  echoed  again  by  four 
officers  called  bafh'ildaf-is  ;  from  thefe  the  queftion 
is  repeated  from  one  member  of  the  divan  to  ano 
ther,  with  ftrange  contortions,  and  the  mod  hide 
ous  growlin^s,  if  it  is  not  to  their  liking.  From 
the  loudnefs  of  this  growling  noiie  the  aga  is  left 
to  guefs,  as  well  as  he  can,  whether  the  majority 
of  the  aflcmbly  are  pieafed  or  diiplsafed  with  the 

queftion  ; 


DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS.     155 


queflion  ;  and  from  fuch  a  prepofterous  method,  it 
is  not  furprifing  that  thefe  aflemblies  fhould  feidom 
end  without  feme  tumult  or  diforder.  As  the  whole 
body  of  the  militia  is  concerned  in  the  election  of 
a  new  dcy,  it  is  feidom  carried  on  without  blows 
and  bioodfhed  :  but  when  once  the  choice  is  made, 
the  peifon  elected  is  fainted  with  the  words  Ada 
Barick,  "  God  blefs  ar,d  profper  you  :"  and  the 
new  dey  ufually  caifes  all  the  officers  of  the  divan 
who  had  oppoied  his  ele6lion  to  be  ftrangled,  fil 
ling  up  their  p jsct-s  v  i\l  thefe  vhc-  had  been  mcft 
zealous  in  promoting  it.  It  is  true  it  mi  ft  be  con 
firmed  by  the  Forte  ,*  but  that  is  feidom  refufed,  as 
*  the  difpofitions  of  the  people  are  fo  well  known. 
From  this  account  of  the  eleclion  of  the  deys,  it 
cannot  be  expected  that  their  government  fhould  be 
at  all  fecure ;  and  as  they  arrive  at  the  throne  by 
tumult  and  bloodfhed  they  are  generally  deprived 
of  it  by  the  fame  means,  fcarceiy  one  in  ten  of 
tjiem  having  the  good  fortune  to  die  a  natural  death. 


CORSAIRS  AND  COMMERCE. 

THE  Algerines  pay  but  Hide  attention  to  agricul 
ture  or  the  improvement  of  their  country,  and  their 
fmgular  genius  leads  them  fo  much  to  the  profeflion 
of  piracy  that  they  negle6tall  internal  resources  or 
advantages  that  might  be  derived  from  their  own 
country.  The  corfairs  or  pirates  form  each  a  fmall 
republic,  of  which  the  rais  or  captain  is  the  fupreme 
bafhaw  ;  who  with  the  officers  under  him,  form  a 
kind  of  divan,  in  which  every  matter  relative  to  the 
veiTels  is  decided  in  an  arbitrary  way.  Thefe  cor 
fairs  are  chiefly  inftrumental  in  importing  whatever 
commodities  are  brought  into  the  kingdom  either  by 

way 


ij6     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

way  of  merchandize  or  prizes.  Thefe  confift  chief* 
iy  of  gold  and  filver  (luffs,  damslks,  cloths,  fpices,Y 
tin,  iron,  plated  brafs,  lead,  quickfilver,  cordage,^ 
failcloth,  bullets,  cochineal,  linen,  tartar,  allum, 
rice,  fugar,  foap,  cotton  raw  and  fpun,  copperas, 
aloes,  brazil  and  logwood,  vermilion,  &c.  Verv 
few  commodities,  however,  are  exported  from  this 
part  of  the  world  :  the  oil,  wax,  hides,  pulie,  and 
corn  produced,  being  but  barely  fufficient  to  fupply 
the  country  ;  though,  before  the  lofs  of  Oran,  the 
merchants  have  been  known  to  (hip  off- from  one  or 
other  the  ports  of  Barbary  feveral  thcufand  tons  of 
corn.  The  confumption  of  oil,  though  here  in 
great  abundance,  is  likewife  fo  confiderable  in  this 
kingdom,  that  it  is  feldom  permitted  to  be  {hipped 
off  for  Europe. 

The  other  exports  confift  chiefly  in  clinches'  fea 
thers,  copper,  ruggs,  filk  fa(lies?  embroidered  hand 
kerchiefs,  dates,  and  Chriitian  flaves.  Some  manu 
factures  in  filk,  cotton,  wool,  leather,  &:c.  are  car 
ried  on  in  this  country,  but  mofUy  by  the  Spaniards 
fettled  here,  efpecially  about  the  metropolis.  Car 
pets  are  alib  a  manufacture  of  the  country,  which, 
though  much  inferior  to  thofe  of  Turkey  both  in 
beauty  and  finenefs,  are  preferred  by  the  people  to 
lie  upon,  on  account  of  their  being  both  cheaper 
and  fofter.  There  are  alib,  at  Algiers  looms  for 
velvet,  tafiaties,  and  other  wrought  filks  ;  and  a 
coarfe  fort  of  linen  is  likewife  made  in  moft  parts 
of  the  kingdom.  The  country  furnifhes  no  mate 
rials  for  {hip-building.  They  have  neither  ropes, 
tar,  fails,  anchors,  nor  even  iron.  When  they  can 
procure  enough  of  new  wood  to  form  the  main  tim 
bers  of  a  fhip,  they  fupply  the  reft  from  the  materi 
als  of  prizes  which  they  have  made,  and  thus  find 
the  fecret  of  producing  new  and  fwii't  failing  velTels 

from 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS.     157 

from  the  ruins  of  the  old.  The  Algerines  are  more 
formidable  at  fea  than  any  other  nation  on  <the  coaft 
of  Barbary,  and  the  fea- faring  people,  are  held  in 
great  eftecm  for  the  prizes  they  capture* 

The  fleet  of  this  regency  does  not  at  prefent 
amount  to  more  than  ten  or  eleven  fail,  (hough 
they  were  formerly  much  more  powerful,  and  in 
the  time  of  Pinchinin  their  navy  confided  of  65 
fail  of  the  line.  At  fea  they  have  been  regarded  asthe 
moft  defperate  and  ferocious  fet  of  beings  in  the  world. 
But  this  feems  a  falfe  prejudice  that  nations  have 
imbibed,  and  according  to  recent 'accounts  they  are 
inferior  in  naval  tadlics  to  every  nation  in  Europe. 
Aimoit  all  our  late  captives  concur  in  the  opinion 
that  four  American  frigates,  well  manned  and  dilci- 
plined,  would  be  a  force  fufficient  to  reduce  them. 
Though  the  Turks  are  fo  proud  and  arrogant,  yet 
it  is  well  known  that  they  are  no  warriors.  rl  heir 
•greateft 'difplay  of  bravery  is  at  the  firfi  onfet,  but 
if  they  meet  with  a  fpirited  reception  from  a  compe 
tent  force  their  vanquifhment  is  certain.  Even  the 
Moors,  though  they  are  an  illiterate  barbarous  race, 
are  fuperior  warriors  to"  the  Turks.  In  their  cor- 
fairs  the  moft  fervile  part -of  duty  is  afFigned  to  'the 
Moors,  while  the  Turks  fpeno?  their  time  in  fmo- 
king  and  in  indolen  e,  except  when  they  come  to  an 
engagement  with  an  enemy,  when  they  fight  with 
fniail  arms  and  cutlaffes.  We  are  ignorant  of  the 
naval  force  of  Tunis  and  Tripoli  ;  but  it  muft  be 
evident  that  in  this  refpefr  they  are  much  inferior  to 
the  Algerines. 

Since  the  eftabllfhment  of  the  independence 
of  North  America  we  owe  the  fecurily  of  our  com 
merce  in  a  great  meaftnle  to  the  wars  that  have  ex- 
afted  between  the  Algerines,  the  Portuguefe,  and 
the  Dutch,  either  of  which  nations  is  much  fuperior 
O  in 


1$%     DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS. 

in  naval  ftrength,  and  they  have  fo  vigilantly  guard 
ed  the  entrance  of  the  Mediterranean,  that  the  pi-' 
rates  have  feldom  been  able  to  cruife  out  into  the 
Atlantic.  Before  the  Algerine  treaty  American  vef- 
fels  feldom  entered  into  the  Mediterranean  ;  and 
when  they  did  fo,  they  derived  their  fecurity  either 
from  forged  or  purchafed  Mediterranean  paffpcrts, 
A  Britifh  fhip  has  for  her  protection  a  pals  written 
upon  a  large  fheet  of  parchment,  which  has  by 
way  of  ornament  fome  dailies  engraved  or  drawn 
with  a  pen  upon  the  margin.  The  Algerines  can 
not  read  Englifh,  and  a  captain  of  a  corfair  would 
moft  probably  forfeit  his  head  were  he  to  carry  a 
Britifh  vefiel  by  rniftake,asa  prize  into  the  harbour 
of  Algiers,  They  have  therefore  adopted  a  fmgu- 
lar  contrivance  to  difcover  whether  fuch  pafles  arc 
genuine.  They  keep  a  flick  marked  with  notches 
correfponding  to  the  fhape  of  thofe  dafhes,  that  are 
uniformly  delineated  on  the  margin  of  the  parch 
ment.  When  the  pafs  is  produced  the  meafure  is 
applied  :  fo  that  it  is  not  difficult  for  the  mod  bung 
ling  artift  to  deceive  them,  who  has  an  original  pafs 
before  him,  and  in  this  manner  it  is  faid  that  many 
American  vefleis  have  been  preferved. 


REVENUES. 

THE  revenues  of  the  dey  are  extremely  fluclua- 
ting,  and  his  income  rifes  cr  falls  in  proportion  to 
his  opportunities  ef  plundering  his  fubjefts,  or  fo 
reigners  ;  whence  they  are  varioufly  computed  by 
different  authors.  Dr.  Shaw  fays,  that  the  taxes  of  the 
v.-hole  kingdom  produce  yearly  to  the  dcy  no  more 
than  300,000  dollars;  but  he  fuppofes  that  the 
eighth  part  of  the  prizes  to  which  he  is  entitled,  the 

property 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS.      159 

property  of  thofc  pcrfons  who  die  without  children, 
to  whom  the  dey  falls  heir,  with  the  prefents  from 
foreign  nations,  fines  and  opprefnons,  joined  to  the 
yearly  contribution  railed  by  the  government,  may 
amount  to  as  much  more.  He  is  befides  entitled  to 
allChriftianflavcs,whofe  ranfoms  are  his  perquifites, 
which, with  the  cultoms  paid  by  the  Englith,  French 
and  other  nations,  who  are  fufiered  to  trade  with  the 
Barbery  States,  will  tend  considerably  to  augment 
his  revenue.  Both  the  dey,  and  officers  under  hirny 
enrich  (hemfelves  by  the  nioll  open  a^s  of  rapine 
and  fraud;  it  is  therefore  no  wonder  to  find  the 
common  people  impofing  upon  one  another,  and 
efpecially  upon  ft  rangers,  feeing  they  them  lei  ves 
are  impoverished  by  heavy  taxes  and  the  injuCUce 
of  thofc  who  are  in  authority. 

The  dey  draws  immenfe  revenues  from  his  ow» 
fubjedls,  which  confiil  in  money,  gold,  (liver,  corn, 
cattle,  and  fuch  other  articles  as  may  be  moft  ufe- 
ful  to  the  Turks  in  Algiers.  The  prizes  which  the 
corfairs  take  at  fea,  fame  years  equal  the  taxes  on 
the  people.  It  is  from  hence  eafy  to  collect  that 
any  calculation  of  revenue  muft  be  extremely 
queftionable,  and  it  can  hardly  be  fuppofed  that 
the  dey  himfelf  is  capable  of  giving  an  accurate  ef- 
timate. 

The  regencies  of  Tunis  and  Tripoli  acknowledge 
fome  fubje6lion  to  the  dey  ;  but  the  only  annual 
tribute  they  pay  him  is  a  cargo  of  butter  anci  oil. 

The  Alcaide,  with  a  detachment  of  Turkim  fol- 
diers,  collects  all  taxes  within  twenty  miles  of  the 
city  of  Algiers.  Beyond  that  diftance  the  dey  has 
three  Turkim  armies  of  about  2000  men  each,  con 
tinually  reinforced  as  emergencies  require,  and  Ra 
tioned  indifferent  parts  of  his  kingdom,  for  the  pur- 
pofes  of  rapine  and  extortion.  Thefc  armies  are 

feverally 


i6o      DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS. 

feverally  commanded  by  the  bafhawscf  Conftantina, 
Bifcaraand  Deetrie,  at  the  places  of  their  refpective 
refidence.  They  are  neither  actuated  by  juilice  nor 
humanity;  but  with  the  adiftance  of  thefe  Turkiih 
opprelTors  they  not  only  enforce  fubje6Uon  to  the 
dey,  but  compel  the  Moors  to  the  payment  of  fuch 
taxes  as  they  think  proper.  This  miierable  race 
of  beings,  who  are  the  objects  of  every  indignity 
and  oppreflfion  that  can  be  offered  to  human  nature, 
are  hunted  like  wild  beads  amon£  the  mountains  ? 
thofe  who  difcovcr  the  leaft  reluctance  in  paying 
the  aGfeGTinents  of  thefe  balhaws,  or  fly  from  the  ra 
pacity  of  their  purfuers,  are  beheaded  and  all  their 
^  .property  confifcated.  If  they  have  the  lead  fufpi- 
cio:i  that  a  Moor  has  concealed  any  p  irt  of  his  trea- 
fure  he  is  tortured  till  he  makes  a  complete  difcove- 
ry,  and  many  of  thsfe  poor  wretches  who  are  un 
able  to  make  any  difclofure  are  tortured  to  death, 
without  being  able  to  fatisfy  their  tormentors.  In 
this  manner  all  gold,  (liver  and  other  valuable  arti 
cles,  are  extorted  from  the  inhabitants.  Some  of 
thsm,  however,  have  courage  enough  fornetimes  to 
attack  their  oppreflbrs  in  fome  of  the  narrow  defiles 
of  the  mountains  through  which  they  are  obliged  to 
pafs,  where  they  frequently  make  great  ilaughter 
among  the  Turks  ;  but  generally  after  the  ftrfl  fire 
they  fly  for  refuge  to  the  craggy  recefles  of  the 
mountains.  They  perform  thefe  tax  gathering  ex- 
curfions  twice  a  year,  and  in  every  expedition  they 
bring  away  immenfe  numbers  of  heads  and  ears, 
which  are  fent  to  the  dey,  as  an  evidence  of  the 
baihaws'  exertions  in  having  raifed  the  neceflfary 
contributions.  The  dey  requires  that  the  heads 
of  thofe  who  are  executed  near  the  city  mould 
be  fent  to  hisn,  but  of  thofe  who  are  murdered  at  a 
cej  he  only  requires  the  ears,  and  the  bear 
er 


DESCRIPTION   OF    ALGIERS.     161 

er  is  rewarded  with  a  certain  fum  of  money  for  each 
pair  he  tenders  to  his  humane,  fovereign. 

Once  in  every  fix  months  each  of  thefe  bafhaws 
fends  in  the  califs,  their  fons,  with  about  50  mules 
laden  with  money  and  other  valuable  articles.  They 
all  enter  Algiers  within  nine  days  of  each  other. 
At  their  approach  the  calTan-aga  and  aga  go  out  to 
meet  them,  and  they  form  a  proceflion  into  the  city. 

Thebafhaws  vifit  the  dey  once  in  every  three-years, 
with  about  150  mules  laden  with  the  fpoils  of  the 
country,  and  when  they  approach  the  city  a  grand 
proceflion  is  formed.  The  caffan-aga,  the  aga,  the 
vickelhadge,  the  chows  and  lifberos,  with  a  detach 
ment  of  five  or  fix  hundred  Turkifh  foldiers,  go  cut 
to  meet  them,  and  they  are  efcorted  into  the  city  with 
drums  beating,  French  horns  playing,  and  colours 
flying,  attended  by  an  immenfe  concourfe  of  people. 
The  booty  is  then  taken  to  the  dey's  palace,  where 
he  diQributes  a  portion  to  his  favorite  wife,  and  a 
part  among  the  different  officers  of"  government. 

After  their  entry  into  the  city  they  wait  impa 
tiently  for  the  Tafturi)  an  elegant  robe  which  it  is 
ufual  for  the  dey  to  fend  them  to  fignify  his  appro 
bation  of  their  conduct  ;  and  till  they  receive  this 
prefent  thsy  are  in  the  utmoft  (ufpenfe  and  appre- 
tenfion  ;  for  if  it  does  not  arrive  the  day  after  their 
entry,  they  know  that  the  lofs  of  their  heads  will 
be  the  confequence* 

PUNISHMENTS. 

IN  thi 3  country  it  is  not  to  be  expecled  that  juf- 
trce  will  be  adminiftered  with  any  degree  of  impar 
tiality.  The  Mahometan  foldiory  in  particular,  are 
fo  much  favoured,  that  they  are  not  punifhed  in  pub 
lic,  and  feldorn  put  to  death  for  any  crime,  except 
(J  z  rebellion  , 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

rebellion  ;  in  which  cafe  they  are  either  hanged  on 
an  iron  hook,  or  ftrangied  with  a  bow-ftring,  which 
is  tied  round  the  neck  of  the  offender,  and  drawn 
different  ways  by  two  executioners,  with  all  their 
ftrength,  fo  that  he  is  inftantly  difpatched.  Wo 
men  guilty  of  adultery,  have  a  halter  tied  about 
their  necks,  with  one  end  fattened  to  a  pole, 
by  which  they  are  held  under  water  till  they  arc 
fuffocated. 

The  Chriftian  flaves  are  liable  to  a  variety  of  pu- 
nifhments.  They  are  fometimes  burned  or  rather 
roaOed  alive.  At  other  times  they  are  impaled. 
This  is  done  by  plaeingthe  criminal  on  the  end  of  a 
fharp  ftake,  which  is  thruft  up  his  pofteriors  clofe 
by  the  back-bone,  till  it  appears  above  his  fhoul- 
ders.  Crucifixion,  by  nailing  the  hands  and  feet 
to  walls,  is  often  pra&ifed. 

But  the  moft  terrible  punifbments  are  thofe  in- 
flifted  upon  the  Jews  or  Chriftians  who  fpeak  a- 
gainft  the  Mahometan  religion  ;  in  which  cafe  they 
mull  either  turn  Mahometan,  or  be  impaled  alive. 
If  they  afterwards  apoftatize,  they  are  roaRed  alive, 
or  elfe  thrown  down  from  the  top  of  the  city  walls, 
upon  iron  hooks.  Thefe  catch  by  the  jaws,  the 
ribs,  or  other  parts  of  the  body,  according  as  they 
happen  to  fall,  and  the  fufferers  have  been  known 
to  hang  in  different  pofitions  forfeveral  days  alive, 
an  the  moft  exquifite  torture  ;  though  by  accident 
they  are  fometimes  put  out  of  pain  at  once,  as  was 
the  cafe  with  John  Galcon  the  Spanifh  adventurer, 
as  before  related.  This  terrible  punifhment  has 
frequently  been  infli&ed  upon  (laves,  but  at  prefent 
it  begins  to  be  generally  difufed. 

There  is  a  law  here,  by  which  any  woman  con- 
vidled  of  an  amorous  correfpondence  with  a  Cbrif- 
tian,  is  tied  up  in  a  faek  and  thrown  into  the  fea. 

Examples 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      163 

Examples  of  this  kind  frequently  happen, as  the  fair 
fex,  in  this  part  of  the  world,  are  remarkably  frail. 

There  is  another  fingular  punifhment  which  is 
inflicted  upon  a  gallows,  which  fhews  the  favage 
difpofition  of  the  people.  Upon  each  fide  of  the 
gallows,  near  the  upper  angle,  are  fixed  two  chains 
of  different  lengths,  to  each  of  which  is  fattened 
a  (harp  hook.  The  malefactor  afcends  the  ladder 
with  the  executioner,  who  thrufts  the  hook  on  the 
fhorteft  chain  through  the  palm  of  his  left  hand  ; 
after  which  he  thrutfs  that  on  the  longeft  chain 
through  the  fole  of  his  right  foot,  and  in  this  man 
ner  the  criminal  is  left  hanging  in  the  moft  excru 
ciating  torture  for  the  fpace  of  three  or  four  days  be 
fore  he  expires. 

The  weftern  Moors  ftill  praclife  the  barbar 
ous  punifnrnent  of  fawing  tranfgreffors  afunder  ;, 
which  is  rnoftly  inflicled  upon  perlbns  of  diOincllon 
for  crimes  againft  the  fbte.  For  which  purpole 
they  prepare  two  boards  of  the  fame  length  and 
breadth  with  the  delinquent,  and  having  tied  him 
between  them,  they  proceed  to  the  execution  by 
beginning  at  the  head.  In  this  manner  did  Kar- 
dinafh  fuifer,  who  was  formerly  their  ambaflador 
to  the  Britifh  court. 

For  clipping  or  debating  the  public  coin,  the  old 
Egyptian  puniihment  is  ftill  Jnflifteci  here,  which 
is  cutting  off  both  the  hands  of  the  tranfgrelTor. 

In  fmaller  crimes,  or  for  thofe  not  capital,  the  of 
fenders  are  fined,  or  their  pay  flopped  ;  and  if  of- 
f?(|efs,  they  are  reduced  to  the  ftation  of  common 
loiters,  from  whence  they  may  gradually  raifc 
themfelves  to  their  former  dignity.  The  rnoft  com 
mon  punifhment  for  offences  not  capital  is  the  bafti- 
nado  ;.  and  the  ftrckes  are  given  either  upon  the 

belly, 


164     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

belly,  back,  or  foles  of  the  feet,  according  to  tllV 
pleafure  of  the  cadi,  who  appoints  the  number, 
which  fornetimes  amount  to  200  or  300,  according* 
to  the  indulgence  the  offender  can  obtain  either  by 
bribery  or  friends  ;  and  hence  he  often  dies  under 
this  puniuSrnent,  for  want  of  advocates  fufficiently 
powerful.  The  moft  ufual  mode  of  baflinading  is 
upon  the  foles  of  the  feet.  The  criminal  is  laid  on 
his  back  or  belly,  his  feet  are  raifed  and  tied  to  a 
ftake,  held  fad  by  officers  for  the  purpofe,  and  in 
this  pofture  the  punifhment  is  infliclcd  by  a  number 
of  flicks  tied  together,  of  the  thicknefs  of  one's  lit 
tle  finger.  A  Moor  convi£Ved  of  houfe-breaking, 
has  his  right  hand  cut  off  and  fattened  about  his 
neck.  He  is  then  led  through  the  city  on  an  afs, 
with  his  face  turned  towards  its  tail.  No  refpccl  is 
paid  to  the  quality  of  a  perfon  ;  but  a  pecuniary 
mulcl  wiilarreft  the  courfe  of  juftice,  unlefsthe  of 
fender  is  guilty  of  the  moft  flagrant  crimes* 

The  ufual  punifhment  for  debt  is  imprifonment, 
according  to  the  practice  of  forne  nations  who  pre 
tend  to  be  more  enlightened.  The  debtor  is  ufually 
detained  in  prifon  till  the  chows  or  bailiffs  have 
feized  and  fold  his  effecls  :  If  the  fale  amounts  to 
more  than  the  debt,  the  furplus  is  returned  to  the 
debtor  ;  if  it  falls  fhort,  he  is  neverthelefs  releaied5 
and  no  future  demands  are  made  upon  him. 


RELIGION. 

THE  inhabitants  of  Algiers,  as  is  well  known* 
are  Mahometans.  But  fuch  is  the  depravitv  of  their 
nature,  that  they  have  adopted  the  very  word  parrs 
of  the  Mahometan  religion,    and  feem  to  have  re 
tained 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      165 

tained  only  as  much  of  it  as  countenences  their 
vices. 

The  Mufti,  the  Cadi,  and  the  grand  Marabout, 
are  the  princ  pal  ecclefiaOics.  The  firft  is  the 
high  prieft  of  their  religion;  the  fecond,  the  fu- 
preme  judge  in  ecclefiaftical  caufes,  and  in  fuch 
civil  matters  as  the  government  does  not  interfere. 
The  third  is  the  chief  of  an  order  of  faints  or 
hermits*  Thefe  three  perfons  are  diflinguifhed 
by  the  largenefs  of  their  turbans.  They  fit  in  the 
divan  a  little  below  the  dey,  on  his  right  hand. 

The  Algerines  have  the  moO  fingular  Veneration 
for  idiots  ,*  infomuch  that  numbers  of  their  mara 
bouts  pretend  to  be  of  this  order,  that  they  may 
receive  the  greater  refpe6\  from  the  people.  Thefe 
marabouts  either  live  fequeftered  in  caves,  or 
wander  bare  leaded  and  bare  footed  from  city  to 
city, with  ragged  clothes  and  a  HarFin  their  hands, 
with  which  they  touch  fuch  perfons  as  they  think 
proper,  and  the  perfon  who  is  touched  in  this 
manner  regards  it  as  the  moft  fignal  favor  that  can 
be  conferred  upon  him,  becaufe  he  is  perfuaded 
that  his  fins  are  thereby  forgiven.  Thefe  mara 
bouts  ftudy  magic  and  aftrology  ;  they  undertake 
to  cure  all  difeafes,  and  to  infpire  love  by  num 
bers,  and  the  powers  of  incantation.  They  lead 
very  auflere  lives,  and  generally  employ  themfelves 
in  counting  their  beads,  or  in  prayer  and  medita 
tion.  This  faintfhip  goes  by  fuccefiion,  and  the 
fon  is  entitled  to  the  fame  veneration  and  refpecl  as 
his  father,  provided  he  can  fupport  the  fame  gra 
vity  and  decorum.  Some  of  them  are  reputed  to 
polTefs  the  fame  faculty  as  their  prophet  in  receiv 
ing  vifions  and  converfing  with  the  Deity. 

In  Algiers  there  are  many  mofques,  in  which 
thefe  marabouts  are  buried,  who  are  venerated  as 

faiats, 


1 66    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS 

faints,  and  burning  lamps  are  placed  round  their 
fepulchres,  to  which  people  fend  prcfcnts  to  ob 
tain  relief  in  ficknefs,or  go  thither  upon  pilgrimage. 
Thofe  who  are  fubjeft  to  the  falling  ficknefs  are 
more  highly  venerated,  bec'aufe  Mahomet  was  trou 
bled  with  this  difeafe,and  declared  that  at  that  time 
God  by'  his  angel  Gabriel  revealed  to  him  the 
mod  facred  myderies  of  his  religion. 

Ail  thofe  Algerines  who  are  of  fufiicient  ability 
deem  it  an  indifpsnfible  duty  to  go  once  in  their  lives 
upon  a  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  and  in  confequence 
of  the  imrnenfe  numbers  who  refort  thither  from 
different  parts  of  Turkey,  this  city  is  more  throng 
ed  than  any  city  in  the  world. 

As  the  impofition  of  Mahometanifrn  has  been 
propagated  over  fuch  extenfive  tracts  of  country  in 
the  other  three  quarters  of  the  globe,  and  forms  fo 
interedinga  particular  in  the  hidory  of  mankind,  it 
\vill  not  perhaps  be  improper  to  give  iome  account 
of  the  great  founder  of  this  religion. 

Mahomet,  or  Mohammed,  fly  led  the  Impo/lor, 
was  born  about  the  end  of  the  6th  century  of  the 
Chridian  sera.  He  carnc  into  the  world  under  many 
disadvantages.  His  father  Abd'allah  was  a  young 
er  fon  of  Abd'almotaleb  ;  and  dying  very  young, 
and  in  his  father's  life  time,  left  his  widow  and  in 
fant  fon  in  very  mean  circumftanccs,  his  whole  fub- 
ftance  confiding  but  of  five  camels  and  one  Ethio- 
pean  female  (lave.  Abd'almotaleb  was  therefore 
obliged  to  take  care  of  his  grandchild  Mahomet; 
which  he  not  only  did  during  his  life,  but  at  his 
death  enjoined  his  elded  fon  Abu  Taleb,  who  was 
brother  to  Abd'allah  by  the  fame  mother,  to  pro 
vide  for  him  for  the  future,  which  he  very  affection 
ately  did,  and  indru&ed  him  in  the  bufinefs  of  a 
merchant,  which  he  followed  ;  and  to  that  end  he 

took 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      167 

took  him  into  Syria  when  he  was  but  thirteen  years 
old.  He  afterwards  recommended  him  to  Khadijah, 
a  rich  widow,  for  her  faftor,  in  whofe  fcrvicc  he 
behaved  himfelf  fo  well,  that  by  making  him  her 
hufband  (he  foon  raifed  him  to  an  equality  with  the 
richeft  in  Mecca. 

After  he  began  by  this  advantageous  match  to 
live  at  his  eafe,  he  formed  the  fcheme  of  eftablim- 
ing  a  new  religion,  or,  as  he  expreffed  it,  of  re 
planting  the  only  true  and  ancient  one  profefled  by 
Adarn,  Noah,  Abraham,  Mofes,  Jefus,  and  all  the 
prophets,  by  deftroying  the  grofs  idolatry  into  which 
the  generality  of  his  countrymen  had  fallen,  and 
weeding  cut  the  corruptions  and  fuperftitions  which 
the  latter  Jews  and  Chriflians  had,  as  he  thought,  in 
troduced  into  their  religion,  and  reducing  it  to  its 
primitive  purity,  which  confifted  chiefly  in  the  wor- 
fhip  of  one  God. 

Before  he  made  cny  attempt  abroad,  he  rightly 
judged  that  it  was  neceflary  for  him  to  begin  with 
the  converfion  of  his  own  houfehold.  Having 
therefore  retired  with  his  family,  as  he  had  done 
feverai  times  before,  to  a  cave  in  mount  Hara,  he 
there  opened  the  fecret  of  his  million  to  his  wife 
Khadijah  ;  and  acquainted  her  that  the  angel  Ga 
briel  had  juft  before  appeared  to  him,  and  told 
him  that  he  was  appointed  the  apoflle  of  God. 
Khadijah  received  the  news  with  great  joy  :  fwear- 
ing  by  him  in  whofe  hands  her  foul  was,  that  me 
trulled  he  would  be  the  prophet  of  his  nation. 

Encouraged   by  fo  good  a  beginning,  he  refolv- 

ed  to  proceed,  and  try  for  fome  time  what  he  could 

do  by  private  perfuaiion  ;  not  daring  to  hazard  the 

*  whole   affair  by  expcfing  it  too   fuddenly  to  the 

public. 

The 


i68      DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS. 

The  next  perfon  Mahomet  applied  to  was  Abu) 
Beker,  a  man  of  great  authority  among  the  Koreiih, 
and  one  whofe  intercft  he  well  knew  would  be  of 
great  fervice  to  him  ;  as  it  foon  appeared  :  for  Abu 
Beker  being  gained  over,  prevailed  alfoupon  fome 
of  the  principal  men  of  Mecca  to  follow  his  ex 
ample,  who  with  a  few  more  were  converted  in 
the  fpace  of  three  years  :  at  the  end  of  which  time 
Mahomet  having^  as  he  hoped,  a  fufficient  intereft 
to  fupport  him,  made  his  miffion  no  longer  a  fe- 
cret,  but  gave  out  that  God  had  commanded  him 
to  admoniih  his  near  relations ;  and  in  order  to 
do  it  with  more  convenience  and  profpeft  of  fuc- 
cefs,  he  dhecled  AH  to  prepare  an  entertainment, 
and  invite  the  fons  and  defendants  of  Abd'almo- 
taleb,  intending  then  to  open  his  mind  to  them. 
This  was  done,  and  about  40  of  them  came  ;  but 
Abu  Taleb,  one  of  his  uncles,  making  the  com 
pany  break  up  before  Mahomet  had  an  opportunity 
of  fpeaking,  obliged  him  to  give  them  a  iecond 
invitation  the  next  day;  and  when  they  were  come, 
he  made  the  following  fpeech  to  them  :  "  I  know- 
no  man  in  all  Arabia  who  can  offer  his  kindred  a 
more  excellent  thing  than  I  now  do  to  you  ;  I  of 
fer  you  happinefs  both  in  this  life,  and  that  which 
is  to  come  ;  God  Almighty  hath  commanded  me 
to  call  you  unto  him  :  Who,  therefore,  anong 
you  will  be  afTiflant  to  me  herein,  and  become 
my  brother  and  my  vicegerent?"  All  of  them  de 
clining  the  matter,  Ali  at  length  rofe  up,  and  de 
clared  he  would  be  his  aflifinnt  ;  and  vehemently 
threatened  thofe  who  fhouid  oppofe  him.  Maho 
met  upon  this  embraced  Ali  with  great  dcrnon- 
ftraiions  of  affection,  and  defired  all  thofe  who 
were  prefent  to  hear  and  obey  him  as  his  deputy  ; 

at 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.     169 

at  which  all  the  company  broke  out  into  a  great 
laughter. 

This  repulfe,  however,  was  fo  far  from  difcoura- 
ing  Mahomet,  that  he  began  to  preach  in  public  to 
the  people,  who  heard  him  with  iorne  patience  till 
he  came  to  upbraid  thern  with  the  idolatry  and  per- 
\erfenefs  of  themf  elves  and  their  fathers  :  which  fo 
exafperated  them,  that  they  declared  themfelves 
his  enemies  ,*  and  would  foon  have  accomplished 
his  ruin  had  he  noi  been  protected  by  Abu  Taleb. 
The  chief  of  the  KOI  eiih  threatened  him  with  an  open 
rupture  if  he  did  not  prevail  on  Mahomet  to  deiifl. 
At  this  Abu  Taleb  was  fo  far  moved,  that  he  earn- 
cilly  diffuadcd  his  nephew  from  pur-Cuing  the  affair 
any  farther,  reprefenting  the  great  danger  of  fuch 
an  undertaking-  But  Mahomet  was  not  to  be  inti 
midated,  and  told  his  uncle  plainly,  that  if  they 
Jet  the  fun  again  ft  him  OH  his  right  hand,  -and  tLe 
mo  en  on  his  left,  he  would  net  leave  Ins  tntcrprife* 
Abu  Taleb  feeing  him  fo  firmly  refolved  to  pro 
ceed,  ufed  no  further  arguments,  but  prornifed  to 
Hand  by  him  againft  all  his  enemies. 

The  Koreifh,  finding  they  could  neither  prevail 
ly  fair  words,  jior  by  menaces,  tried  what  they 
could  do  by  force  and  ill  treatment  ;  ufmg  Ma  ho 
rnet's  followers  fo  very  injuriouily,  that  it  was  not 
fafe  for  them  to  continue  at  Mecca  any  longer  ; 
whereupon  Mahomet  gave  leave  to  fuch  of  the-m  as 
bad  not  friends  to  protect  thern,  to  feekfor  refuge 
tlfewhcre. 

In  the  fixth  year  of  his  million,  Mahomet  had 
the  pleafure  of  feeing  his  party  flrengthened  by  the 
converfion  of  his  uncle  Hamza,  and  Omar  Ebn  al 
Kattab,  who  was  at  firfl  a  violent  oppofer  of  the 
•prophet.  As  perfecution  generally  advances  rather 
than  obfhucls  the  fpreading  of  a  religion,  Ida- 
P  rnifrn 


770    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

-inifm   made  fo  great  a   progrefs  among  the  Arab\ 
tribes,  that  the  Koreifh,  to  fupprefs  it  effectually  if\ 
poffible,  in  the  feventh  year  of  Mahomet's  rniffion, 
made  a  folemn   league  againft  the  Hafnemites  and 
the  family  of  Abd'almotaleb,  engaging  themfelves 
to  contra6t  no   marriages  with  any  of  them  ;  and 
to  give  it  the  greater  fan6\ion,  reduced  it  into  wri 
ting,   and  laid  it  up  in  the  Caaba. 

The  families  in  confequence  continued  at  vari 
ance  for  three  years  ;  but  in  the  loth  year  of  his 
miffion  Mahomet  told  his  uncle  Abu  Taleb,  that 
God  had  manifeftly  fhewed  his  difapprobation  of  the 
league  which  the  Koreifh  had  made  againft  them, 
by  fending  a  worm  to  eat  out  every  word  of  the  in- 
ftrument  except  the  name  of  Gad*  Of  this  acci 
dent  Mahomet  had  probably  fome  private  notice  : 
for  Abu  Taleb  went  immediately  to  the  Koreifh, 
and  acquainted  them  with  it;  offering,  if  it  proved 

.  to  deliver  his  nephew  up  to  them  ;  but  in 
cafe  it  were  true,  fee  infixed  that  they  ought  to  lay 
slide  their  animofity,  and  annul  the  league  they 
had  made  againft  the  Balherrntes,  To  this  they  ac- 
.;  .;.;cfcecl  ;  .'.  rd  going  to  infpect  the  writing,  to  their 
£re3t  aftonifhment  found  it  to  be  as. Abu  Taleb  had 

;  and  the  league  was  thereupon  declared  void. 
In  the  fame  year  Abu  Taleb  died   at  the  age  of 

e  fourfcore  ;  and  about  a  month.,  or,  as  fome 
write,  three  days  after  his  death,  Mahomet  had  the 
additional  mortification  to  lofe  his  wife,  who  hacl 
fo  reneroufly  made  his  fortune.  For  which  reafon 

T  is  called  the  year  of  mourning* 
On  the  death  of  thefe   two  perfons,  the  Koreifh 

a  to  be  more  troubleforne  than  ever  to  their  pro- 

,  infomuch  that  lie  found  himfclf  obliged  to 
leek  for  fhelter  at  Tsyef,  where  he  applied  hiirifelf 
to  two  of  the  chief  of  the  tribe  of  Thakif,  wl:o  then 

were 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      171 

were  the  inhabitants  of  that  place  ;  but  they  receiv 
ed  him  very  coldly  :  and  he  was  foon  afterwards 
obliged  to  depart  from  thence  and  return  to  Mec 
ca,  where  he  put  hirnfelf  under  the  protection  of 
Al  Motaam  Ebn  Adi. 

This  repulfe  greatly  difcouraged  his  followers  : 
but  Mahomet  notwithstanding  boldly  continued  to 
preach  to  the  public  afifemblies  at  the  pilgrimage, 
and  gained  many  profeiytes  among  them. 

In  the  1 2th  year  of  his  million  Mahomet  gave  out 
that  he  made  his  night- journey  from  Mecca  to  Jeru- 
falem,  and  from  thence  to  heaven,  fo  much  fpoken  of 
by  all  that  write  of  him. 

This  (lory  feemed  fo  ridiculous  that  fcveral  of 
his  followers  left  him  in  confequence,  and  would 
probably  have  ruined  the  whole  defign,  had  not, 
Abu  Beker  vouched  for  his  veracity,  and  declared, 
that  if  Mahomet  affirmed  it  to  be  true,  he  verily 
believed  him.  Which  happy  incident  not  only  re 
trieved  the  prophet's  credit,  but  encrcafed  it  to  fuch 
a  degree,  that  he  was  afterwards  able  to  make  his 
difciples  fwailow  whatever  he  pleafed  to  impofe  on 
them.  This  fiction,  notwithftanding  its  extravagance, 
was  one  of  the  moft  artful  contrivances  Mahomet 
ever  deviled,  and  what  chiefly  contributed  to  the 
raiiing  of  his  reputation  to  that  great  height  to  which 
it  afterwards  arrived. 

In  this  year,  called  by  the  Mahometans  the  ac 
cepted  year,  twelve  men  of  Yathreb  or  Medina, 
-cams  to  Mecca,  and  took  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  Ma 
homet  at  al  Akaba,  a  hill  on  the  north  of  that  ci 
ty  ;  after  which  Mahomet  fent  one  of  his  difciples, 
named  Mafab  Ebn  Omair,  home  with  them,  to  in- 
ftru-Sl  them  more  fully  in  the  grounds  and  ceremo 


nies  of  his  new  religion. 


Mafab 


172     DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

Ma  fab  being  arrived  at  Medina,  by  theaffiftanc 
of  thole  who  had  been   formerly  converted,  gained 
leveral    profelytes,  and  Ma  home  tan  if m  was  propa 
gated  ib  rapidiy  that  there  was  fcarce  a  houfe  where 
in  there  were  not  fome  who  had  embraced  it. 

The  next  year,  being  the  13th  of  Mahomet's 
million,  Mafab  returned  to  Mecca,  accompanied 
by  73  men  and  two  women  of  Medina,  who  of 
fered  Mahomet  their  afliftance,  which  he  readily 
accepted  ,*  as  he  was  iu  the  moft  imminent  dan 
ger  from  liis  powerful  adverfaries  in  Mecca.  Out 
of  this  number  Mahomet  chofe  twelve  perfons, 
who  were  to  have  the  fame  authority  among;  them 
as  the  twdue,  apoltles  of  Chriil  had  among  his  dif- 
ciples. 

Hitherto  Mahomet  had  propagated  his  religion 
by  fair  means  ;  fo  that  the  whole  fucccfs  of  this  en- 
tcrprife,  before  his  flight  to  Medina,  muft  be  at 
tributed  folely  to  perfuaiio.i.  For  before  his  fecond 
oith  of  fealty  or  inauguration,  at  al  Akaba,  he  had 
no  permiTion  to  ufe  any  force  at  all  ;  nor  would  he 
fuifer  it.  And  he  was  far  from  allowing  it  in  his 
followers  ;  bat  exhorted  them  to  bear  patiently 
thole  injuries  which  were  offered  them  on  account 
of  their  faith.  But  this  great  paiiivenefs  feemed 
entirely  owing  to  the  great  Superiority  of  his  oppo- 
fers  for  the  firft  twelve  years  of  his  million  ;  for 
no  fooner  was  he  enable J,  by  the  affifbnce  of  thofe 
of  Medina,  to  oppofe  his  enemies,  than  he  pro 
claimed  that  God  hid  permitted  him  and  his  fol 
lowers  to  attack  the  infidels,  to  deftroy  idolatry, 
and  to  etlabliih  the  true  faith  by  the  fword  ;  for 
lie  founl  by  experience,  that  his  deilgis  would 
otherwife  have  proceeded  very  ilowly,  and  he  well 
knevv  thit  innovators,  when  they  depend  foleiy 
oa  their  o-va  (Irea^'h,  and  cm  compel,  felJorn 

run 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     173 

run  much  rifk  ;  from  whence,  fays  Machiavel,  it 
follows,  that  all  the  armed  prophets  have  fucceed- 
ed,  and  the  unarmed  ones  have  failed. 

That  Mahomet  had  a  right  to  take  up  arms  for 
his  own  defence,  may  perhaps  be  allowed  ;  but 
whether  he  ought  afterwards  to  have  e^tabiifhed  his 
religion  by  compulfion  is  not  fo  eafy  to  determine. 
Having  provided  for  the  fecurityof  his  companions 
as  well  as  his  own,  by  the  league  ofFenfive  and  de- 
fen  five  which  he  had  now  concluded  with  thofe  of 
Medina,  he  directed  them  to  repair  thither,  which 
they  accordingly  did  ;  but  he  himfelf,  with  Abu 
Beker  and  Ali  ilaid  behind,  having  not  yet  receiv 
ed  the  divine  permidipn,  as  he  pretended,  to  leave 
Mecca.  The  Koreilh,  fearing  the  confequence  of 
this  new  alliance,  began  to  think  it  abfolu?ely  ne- 
cefTary  to  prevent  Mahomet's  efcape  to  Medina  ; 
and  having  held  a  council  thereon,  they  came 'to 
a  refolution  that  he  fhould  be  killed:  an 
that  a  man  fhould  be  chofen  out  of  every  tri'ue  for 
the  execution  of  this  defign;  each  of  \vheni  (b 
have  a  blow  at  him  with  his  fvvord,  th.it  the  r:u:l 
bis  blood  might  fail  equally  on  all  the  tribes, 
wliofe  united  power  the  Halhemites  were  much  in 
ferior,  and  therefore  durft  not  attempt  to  revenge 
their  kinfman's  deajh.. 

This  conspiracy  was   fcarcely  formed,  before    *t 
came  to   Mahomet's  knowledge  ;  and   he    ra   «•: 
tint  ii  wi>  revealed    to  him  by  the  angel   G«.b 
who   had    now   ordered   him    to   retire   to  Medina. 
Whereupon,    to    amufe   his  enemies,  he    dire6iecl 
Ali  to  lie  down  in  his  place,  and    wrap  himfelf  up 
in  his  green   cloak,  which   he  did  ;  and  Mahomet 
cleaned  miraculouOy,  as  they  pretend,  to  Abu   Be- 
ker's  houfe,  unperceived  by  the  corfpitsj^ctrs,  who 
had  already  airembled  at  the  prophet's  doer.  Thevv 
P  2  in 


i;4     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALG1EP.3 

in  the  mean  time,  looking  through  the  crevice,  and  , 
feeing  AH,  whom  they  took  to  be  Mahomet  him-  1 
felfallecp,  continued   watching  there  till  morning, 
when   AH    arofe,  and  they   found  themfelvcs   de 
ceived. 

From  Aba  Beker's  houfe  Mahomet  and  he  went 
to  a  cave  in  mount  Thur,  to  the  fouth-eaft  of  Mec 
ca,  where  they  lay  hid  three  days  to  avoid  the 
fearch  of  their  enemies  ;  which  they  very  narrow 
ly  efcaped,  and  not  without  the  afiifiance  of  more 
miracles  than  one :  for  fornc  fay  that  the  Ko- 
reiih  were  ilruck  with  blindnefs,  fo  that  they  could 
not  find  the  cave;  others, 'that  after  Mahomet 
and  his  attendants  were'"  got  in,  two  pigeons  laid 
their  eggs  at  the  entrance,  and  a  fpider  covered 
the  mouth  of  the  cave  with  her  web,  which  made 
them  look  no  further.  Abu  Beker,  feeing  the  pro 
phet  in  imminent  danger,  became  very  forrovvful ; 
:  eupon  Mahomet  comforted  him  with  thefe 
•ed  in  the  Koran,  Be  not  grieved,  for 
us*  Their  enemies  being  retired, 
they  left  the  cave,  and  fet  out  for  Medina,  by  a 
by-road  ;  and  having  fortunately  efcaped  fomc  who 
were  lent  to  purfue  them,  arrived  fafely  at  that 
city  ;  whither  Ali  followed  them  in  three  days, 
ai'trr  he  had  fettled  fome  affairs  at  Mecca. 

The  firft  thing  Mahomet  did  after  his  arrival  at 
Medina,  was  to  build  a  temple  for  his  religious 
worfhip,  and  a  houfe  for  his  own  accornmedation* 

After  being  fecurely  fettled  there,  and  able  not 
only  to  defend  himfelf  againft  the  infults  of  his 
enemies,  but  to  attack  them,  he  began  to  fend  out 
fmall  parties  to  make  reprifals  on  the  Koreiih  ;  the 
fir  ft  party  confifting  of  no  more  than  nine  men,  who 
intercepted  and  plundered  a  caravan  belonging  to 
that  tribe,  and  in  the  adion  took  two  prifoners.  But 

whaf 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS.     175 

what  efbblifned  his  affairs  very  much,  and  was  the 
foundation  on  which  he  buiit  his  fucceeding  great- 
nefs,  was  the  gaining  the  battle  of  Beder,  which  was 
fought  in  the  fecond  year  of  the  Hegira,and  is  famous 
in  the  Mahometan  hiftory.  Some  reckon  no  lefs  than 
twenty-feven  expeditions  wherein  Mahomet  was 
perfonally  prefent,  in  nine  of  which  he  gave  battle, 
befides  feveral  other  expeditions  rh  which  he  was 
not  prefent.  His  forces  he  maintained  partly  by 
the  contributions  of  his  followers  for  this  purpcfe, 
which  he  called  by  the  name  of  zacat  cr  a!msy 
and  the  paying  of  which  he  very  artfully  made 
one  main  article  of  his  religion  ;  and  partly  by  or 
dering  a  fifth  part  of  the  plunder  to  be  brought  in 
to  the  public  treafury  for  that  purpefe,  in  which 
matter  he  likewife  pretended  to  a£t  by  the  divine 
dire&ion. 

In  a  few  years,  by  the  fuccefs  of  his  arms,  (not- 
withftanding  he  fomelimes  came  off  by  the  won'!}, 
he  (Considerably  raifed  his  credit  and  power.  In  the 
fixth  year  of  ths  Hegira  he  let  out  with  1400  men 
to  vifit  the  temple  of  Mecca,  not  with  any  intent  of 
committing  hoRilities,  but  in  a  peaceable  manner. 
However,  when  he  came  to  al  Hodeibiya,  which 
is  fituated  partly  within  and  partly  without  the  fa- 
cred  territory,  the  Kcreim  fent  to  let  him  know 
that  they  would  not  permit  him  to  enter  Mecca,  urs- 
lefs  he  forced  his  way  ;  whereupon  he  called  his 
troops  about  him,  and  they  all  took  a  iblemn  oath 
of  homage  to  him,  and  he  refolvcd  to  attack  the 
city  ;  but  thofe  of  Mecca  fending  Arwa  Ebn  Ma- 
fud,  prince  of  the  tribe  of  Thakif,  as  their  ambaf- 
fador,  to  delire  peace,  a  truce  was  concluded  be 
tween  them  for  ten  years,  by  which  any  perfcn 
was  allowed  to  enter  into  a  league  either  with  Ma- 
hornet,  or  with  the  Koreifh,  as  he  thought  lit. 

It 


r76     DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS. 

It  may  not  be  improper,  in  order  to  fhew  the  in.4 
conceivable  veneration  and  refpedl  the  Mahometans x. 
by  this  fime  had  for  their  prophet,  to  mention  the  ' 
a:count  which  the  above  mentioned  ambafTadcr 
gave  the  Koreifh  of  their  behaviour,  at  his  return. 
He  faid  he  had  been  at  the  courts  both  cf  the  Ro<- 
rmn  emperor  and  the  king  of  Perfia,  and  never  faw 
any  prince  fb  highly  refpe&ed  by  his  fubjedls  as 
Mahomet  was  by  his  companions  :  for,  whenever 
he  made  the  ablution,  in  order  to  fay  his  prayers, 
they  ran  and  catc.hed  the  water  that  he  had  ufed  ; 
and  whenever  lie  fpit  they  immediately  liked  it  up^ 
and  gathered  every  hair  that  fell  from  him  with 
great  fuperfliticn. 

In  the  feventh  year  of  the  Hegira,  Mahomet  be 
gan  to  think  of  propagating  his  religion  beyond  the 
bounds  of  Arabia;  and  lent  mefiengersto  the  neigh 
bouring  princes,  with  letters  to  invite  them  to  Ma- 
hometenifm.  Nor  was  this  project  without  feme 
faccefs.  Khofru.  Parviz,  then  king  of  Perfia,  re 
ceived  his  letter  with  great  difdain,  and  tore  it  in 
a  pa  ilion»  fending  away  the  mefFenger  very  abrupt*- 
ly  •  which  when  Mahomet  heard,  he  faid  Godjhall 
tear  his  kingdom.  And  foon  after  a  rneflenger  came 
to  Mahomet  from  Badhon  king  of  Yaman,  who  was 
a  dependent  on  the  Perfians,  to  acquaint  him  that 
h?  had  received  orders  to  fend  him  to  Khofru. 
Mahomet'  put  off  his  anfwer  till  the  next  morning, 
and  then  told  the  mefTenger  it  had  been  revealed 
to  him  that  night  that  Khofru  was  (lain  by  his 
fon  Shiruyeh  •;  adding,  that  he  was  well  allured  his 
new  religion  and  empire  (hould  rife  to  as  great  a 
height  as  that  of  Khofru  ;  and  therefore  bid  him  ad- 
vile  his  mailer  to  embrace  Mabometanifm.  The 
rneiTenger.  being  returned,  Badhan  in  a  few  days 
received  a  letter  from  Shiruyeh,  informing  him  of 

his. 


DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS.      177 

his  father's  death.,  ordering  him  to  give  the  pro 
phet  no  further  difturbance.  Whereupon  Bad- 
han  and  the  Persians  with,  him  turned  Mahome 
tans- 

The  emperor  Heraclius,  as  the  Arabian  hiuo;l~ 
an  s  alTure  us,  received  Mahomet's  letter  with  great 
refpeil,  laying  it  on  his  pillow,  and  difmrfled  the 
bearer  honorably*  And  tome  pretend  that  he  would 
have  prof e  lied  this  new  faith,  had  he  not  been  afraid 
of  lofmg  his  crown. 

MA  home  t  wrote  to  the  fame  effect  to  the  king  cf 
Ethiopia,  and  to  Mohawkas,  governor  of  Egypt, 
who  give  the  nieiTenger  a  very  favorable  reception, 
and  lent  fev.eral  valuable  prefents  to  Mahomet,  and 
among  the  reft  two  beautiful  girls,  one  of  which, 
named  Mary,  became  a  great  favorite  with  him. 
lie  alfo  lent  letters  of  the  like  purport  to  feve- 
rjil  Arab  princes  :  particularly  one  to  al  Hareth 
Ebn  Abi  Shain.ec  king  of  Ghaflean,  who  returning 
for  anfwer  that  he  would  go  to  Mahomet  himfelf, 
the  prophet  faid,  May  his  kingdom  ptrifh  ;  another 
to  Hawdha  Ebn  All.,  king  of  Yamana,  who  was  a 
Chriftian,  and,,  having  forne  time  before  profefled 
Iilarnifm,  had  lately  returned  to  his  former  faith  ; 
this  prince  fent  back  a  very  rough  anfwer,  upon 
which  Mahomet  curling  him,  he  died  foon  after  l 
and  a  third  to  al  Mondar  Ebn  Sawha,  king  of  Bah 
rein,  who  embraced  Mahornetanifm,  and  all  the 
Arabs  of  that  country  followed  his  example. 

The  eighth  year  of  the  Hegira  was  a  very  fortu 
nate  year  to  Mahomet.  In  the  beginning  of  it, 
Khaled  Ebn  ai  Walid  and  Amru  Ebn  al  As,  both 
excellent  foldiers,  the  firft  of  whom  afterwards  con- 
qjered  Syria  and  other  countries,,  and  the  Jatfer 
Egypt,  became  profelytes  to  Mahometanifm.  And 
loon  after  the  prophet  fent  3000  men  againtl  the 

Grecian 


178     DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS, 

Grecian  forces,  to  revenge  the  death  of  one  of  his 
ambaffadors,  who,  being  fent  to  the  governor  of 
Bofra  on  the  fame  errand  as  thofc  who  went  to  the 
above-mentioned  princes,  wasilain  by  an  Arab,  of 
the  tribe  of  Chaff-in,  at  Muta,  a  town  in  the  terri 
tory  of  Balkain  Syria,  near  which  they  encounter 
ed..  The  Grecians  being  vaftly  fuperior  in  number 
(for,  including  the  auxiliary  Arabs,  they  had  an 
army  of  100,000  men)  the  Mahometans  were  re- 
pulfed  in  the  firft  attack,  and  loft  fucceffively  three 
of  their  generals,  viz.  Zeid  Ebn  Haretha  Maho 
met's  freed  man,  Jaafar  the  fon  of  Abu  Taleb,  and 
Abdailah  Ebn  Ravvaha  :  but  Khaled  Ebn  al  Wa- 
lid,  fucceeding  to  the  command,  overthrew  the 
Greeks  with  great  (laughter,  and  brought  away 
abundance  of  rich  fpoil  ;  on  occafion  of  which  Ma 
homet  gave  him  the  title  of  Seif  min  foyuf  Allah  t 
"  one  of  the  fvvords  of  God." 

In  this  year  Mahomet  took  the  city  of  Mecca*, 
the  inhabitants  whereof  had  broken  the  truce  con 
cluded  on  two  years  before.  For  the  tribe  of  Bekcr, 
who  were  confederates  with  the  Koreifh,  attacking 
thofe  of  Khozaah,  who  were  allies  of  Mahomet, 
killed  feveral  of  them,  being  fupportedin  the  a£\i- 
on  by  a  party  of  the  Koreifh  themfelves.  In  confe- 
qjence  of  this  violation,  Abu  Sofian  himfelf  made  a 
journey  to  Medina  on  purpofe  to  heal  the  breach  and 
renew  the  truce  :  but  in  vain  ;  for  Mahomet,  glad 
of  this  opportunity,  refufed  to  fee  him  :  whereup 
on  he  applied  to  Abu  Bcker  and  AH  :  but  they  giv 
ing  him  no  anfwer,  he  was  obliged  to  return  to 
Mecca  as  he  came. 

Mahomet  immediately  gave  orders  for  prepara 
tions  to  be  made,  that  he  might  furprize  the  Mec- 
cans  while  they  were  unprovided  to  receive  him  :  ia 
a  little  time  he  began  his  march  thither ;  and  by 

the 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     179 

the  time  he  came  near  the  city,  his  forces  were  m- 
creafed  to  10,000  men.  Thofe  of  Mecca,  being 
not  in  a  condition  to  defend  themfelves  againft  ib 
formidable  an  army,  furrendered  at  difcretion,  and 
Abu  Sofian  faved  his  life  by  turning  Mahometan. 
About  28  of  the  idolaters  were  killed  by  a  party 
under  the  command  of  Khaled  ;  but  this  happened 
contrary  to  Mahomet's  orders,  who,  when  he  en 
tered  the  town,  pardoned  all  the  Koreifh  on  their 
fubmiffion,  except  three  men  and  one  woman  who 
were  put  to  death,  the  reft  obtaining  pardon  on 
their  embracing  Mahometanifm. 

The  remainder  of  this  year  Mahomet  employed 
in  deftroying  the  idols  in  and  about  Mecca,  fending 
feveral  of  his  generals  on  expeditions  for  that  pur- 
pofe,  and  to  invite  the  Arabs  to  Hlamifm  :  where 
in  it  is  no  wonder  if  they  now  met  with  fuccefs. 

The  next  year  being  the  ninth  of  the  Hegira,  the 
Mahometans  call  the  year  cf  tmbajjics  :  for  the  A- 
rabs  had  been  hitherto  expelling  the  illue  of  the  war 
between  Mahomet  and  the  Kcreifh  :  but  as  foon  as 
that  tribe,  the  principal  of  the  whole  nation,  and  the 
genuine  defendants  of  Ifhmael,  whofe  prerogatives 
none  offered  to  difpute,  had  fubmitted,  they  were  fa- 
tisflcd  that  it  was  not  in  their  power  to  oppofe  Ma- 
bomet;  and  thereforebegan  to  come  into  him  in  great 
numbers,  and  to  fend  embaffies  to  make  their  fubmif 
fion  to  him,  both  to  Mecca,  while  he  ftaid  there,  and 
alfo  10  Medina, whither  he  returned  this  year.  Among 
the  reft,  five  kings  of  the  tribe  of  Hamyar  profeiT- 
cd  Mahometanlfm,  and  fent  ambaffadors  to  notify 
the  fame. 

In  the  tenth  year,  Ali  was  fent  into  Yaman  to 
propagate  the  Mahometan  faith  there,  and,  as  it  is 
laid,  converted  the  whole  tribe  of  Hamdan  in  one 
clay.  Their  example  was  quickly  followed  by  all 

the 


iSo     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

the  inhabitants  of  that  province,  except  only  thofe  \ 
of  Najran,  who,    being  Chriftians,  chofe  rather  to 
pay  tribute. 

In  the  eleventh  year  Mahomet  died  ;  thus  was 
Mahometanifm  eftablifhed,  and  idolatry  rooted  out 
even  in  Mahomet's  time,  throughout  all  Arabia, 
except  only  Yarnana,  where  Mofeilama,  who  fet 
up  aifo  for  a  prophet  as  Mahomet's  competitor,  had 
a  great  party,  and  was  not  reduced  till  the  kajifat 
of  Abu  Beker,  and  the  Arabs  being  then  united  in 
one  faith,  and  under  one  prince,  found  thernfelves 
in  a  condition  of  making  thofe  conqueils,  which  ex 
tended  the  Mahometan  faith  over  fo  great  part  of 
the  world. 

The  mofque  which  contains  Mahomet's  tomb, 
Rands  nearly  in  the  center  of  Medina,  which,  in 
confequence,  is  called  the  moft  fiofy  city.  It  is  a 
magnificent  ftru<5Vure,  fupported  by  400  fiately  co 
lumns,  and  lighted  up  with  300  fuperb  lamps  of  fu- 
perior  luftre,  which  are  kept  continually  burning* 
It  has  a  fmall  tower  covered  with  plates  of  filver, 
and  the  floor  is  covered  with  a  cloth  of  gold.  It  is 
more  vifited  than  any  city  in  the  world  except  Mec 
ca.  Mahomet's  cofTin  ftands  under  the  cupola.  It 
has  long  been  the  vulgar  opinion  that  this  coffin  is 
made  of  flcel,  and  fufpended  in  the  air  by  the  pow 
er  of  two  magnets,  but  this  notion  is  erroneous,  and 
has  long  ago  been  exploded.  The  tomb  lies  expo- 
fed  to  view  from  the  middle  to  the  bottom  of  the 
dome,  and  is  furrounded  by  a  finall  wall,  which 
is  pierced  with  windows  fenced  with  filver  grates. 
The  infide  is  adorned  with  precious  flones  of  im- 
rnenfe  value,  efpecially  on  that  part  of  the  cupola 
which  is  over  the  head  of  the  prophet.  Over  his 
feet  is  placed  a  golden  crefccnt  of  exquidte  \vork- 
manftiip,  and  fparkling  with  the  moil  ccftly  bril- 

v     liants. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      *8i 

liants.  A  canopy  of  the  rr.oft  elegant  embroidery 
ris  extended  above,  and  over  the  coffin  is  thrown  a 
rich  pall  of  gold  and  filver  tifiue,  which  are  an 
nually  fent  thither  by  the  bafhaw  of  Egypt,  by  or- 
;der  of  the  Grand  Signicr,  and  with  the  greateft 
magnificence.  It  is  commonly  carried  upon  the 
back  of  a  (lately  camel,  and  when  the  precious 
gift  is  taken  ofF,  the  beaft  is  no  longer  ufed  in  fer- 
vile  drudgery. 

The  place  where  the  coffin  lies,  is  fupported  by 
pillars  of  black  marble,  and  encompaffed  with  a 
baluilrade  or  (river,  hung  with  fucha  number  of  bur 
ning  lamps,  that  the  imoke  darkens  the  place.  The 
cupola  is  hung  with  white  and  red  damafk,  and  has 
thefe  words  embroidered  upon  it  in  Arabic  letters 
of  gold,  God  is  God,  and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet. 
The  place  is  a  hundred  paces  long  and  ninety  broad; 
it  has  two  gates  and  a  vaulted  nave.  The  concourfe 
of  pilgrims  that  refort  to  this  dorne  is  aftonifhing, 
and  every  Muflulmaii  is  bound  by  his  religion  to 
Yifit  this  tomb  at  leaft  once  in  his  life  ;  after  which 
he  is  for  ever  regarded  as  a  faint. 

The  fpft  article  of  the  Mahometan  religion  is 
that  there  is  no  God  but  the  true  God,  and  Mahomet 
is  his  apojlle.  '1  he  Alcoran  enjoins  the  belief  of 
angels;  and  teaches  that  they  are  pure  and  fubtle 
bodies,  that  there  is  no  diftin&ion  of  fexes  among 
them,  and  that  they  do  not  propagate  their  fpe- 
cies  ;  that  they  have  various  forms  and  offices  ;  that 
fome  adore  God  in  different  pofhires,  and  others 
fing  praifes  to  him  or  intercede  for  mankind. 

Mahomet  named  the  devil  Eblis  from  his  defpair. 
He  was  one  of  the  angels  called  AzaziL  who  are  in 
God's  immediate  prefence,  and  he  fell  for  refufing 
to  pay  homage  to  Adam  at  God's  command.  The 
Mahometans  believe  in  a  fubordinate  race  of  an- 

Q,  ^ 


DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS. 

gels  called  genii,  formed  of  grofler  fire,  who  pro 
pagate  their  fpecies,  are  fubjedt  to  death  and  liable 
to  future  rewards  and  punilbments. 

They  believe  in  no  lefs  than  124,000  prophets, 
Come  fay  more,  who  have  been  lent  into  the  world 
at  different  periods  ;  among  whom  were  Noah,  Abra 
ham,  Moles,  Jefus,  and  Mahomet,  and  that  the  laws 
of  each  ofthefe  prophets  fucceffiv el y  abrogated  thofe 
of  their  immediate  predeceffbrs. 

The  next  article  of  the  Mahometan  faith  is  the 
<io<5lrine  of  the  refurre&ion  ;  but  the  time  is  known 
to  none  but  God  alone.  Mahomet  converfed  with 
Gabriel  upon  this  fubjeCTv  ;  but  the  angel  acknow 
ledged  his  ignorance  of  the  time.  They  believe 
that  the  refurrecHon  will  extend  to  all  animals, and 
that  angels,  genii,  and  men  will  rite,  fome  to  eter 
nal  happincfs  and  others  to  eternal  mifery. 

They   believe  in  paradife,  which  they   imagine 
to   be  fituated   above   the  feven   heavens,  or  in  the 
feventh  immediately  under  the  throne  of  God;  and 
to  icprefent  the  amenity  of  the  place  they   fay  that 
the  earth  of  it  is  of  the  fineft  wheat  flour,  or  of  the 
pureft   muik  ;   that  its  Hones  are  pearl  and  jacinths, 
the  walls  of  its  buildings  are  embeliifhed  with    gold 
and  (liver,  and  that  the  trunks  of  all  its  trees  are  of 
pure  gold  ;  among  which  the    mod  remarkable   is 
the  tree  Tuba,  or  the  tree  of  happinefs,  which  (lands 
in  Mahomet's  palace,  and   a  branch  of  it  extends 
to    the    abode    of   every   true    believer  ;     that    the 
boughs  are  loaded  with  the  rnoft  exquiiite  fruits  of 
furprifing  bignefs,  and  of  taftes  unknown  to  mor 
tals  ;   of  which  if  a  man  defire  to  eat  the  branches 
will  bend  down  and   prefent   him   their  fruit;  that 
this  tree  will  fupply   him  with  the  rkheft  garments 
of  (ilk  ;  that  beafts  will  burft  forth   from  the  fruit, 
adorned  with  the    ripheft   trappings  ready  for  true 

believers 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      183 

believers  to  ride  upon,  and  that  this  tree  is  fo  large 
that  a  perfon  mounted  on  the  iwir'teft  horte,  would 
not  be  able  to  gallop  from  one  end  of  its  fhade  to 
the  other  in  an  hundred  years.  Some  of  the  rivers 
of  paradife,  they  lay,  flow  with  the  pureft  itreams 
of  water,  fome  with  milk,  (ome  with  honey,  and 
others  with  wine,  all  which  take  their  rile  from 
the  root  of  the  tree  of  happinefs  ;  befides  which, 
they  fay,  it  is  watered  by  infinite  numbers  of  fprings 
and  fountains,  whofe  pebbles  are  rubies  and  eme 
ralds,  their  beds  of  mufk,  and  their  fides  of  faf- 
fron. 

But  all  thefe  glories  will  be  infinitely  tranfcended 
by  the  charms  of  women  of  the  mod  ineffable  and 
ravifhing  beauty,  the  refidenrs  of  paradife,  whofe 
focicty  will  be  a  perpetual  fource  of  felicity  to  the 
faithful.  Thefe, the  Alcoran  fays,  are  formed  of  pure 
fnu(k,  and  free  from  all  impurities  incident  to  the 
fex,  of  the  moft  exemplary  modefty,  and  fecluded 
from  public  view  in  pavilions  of  hollow  pearl,  three- 
fcore  miles  long  and  as  many  broad  ;  and  that  the 
inhabitants  of  paradife  may  enjoy  thefe  pleafurcs  in 
their  fulled  extent,  it  is  faid  they  will  be  endowed 
with  extraordinary  faculties,  and  fiourifti  in  eternal' 
youth. 


CHAP* 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS, 


CHAP.     II. 

A  Jb&rt  ace  cunt  of  the  principal  cities,  'The  city  of  AL* 
GIERS.  Its  origin^  fituatioji)  bsrtfest  *Luattry  public  &„'///« 
ing*)  bagnios y  Jl  reels >  gates >  iva'lh)  tfislt)  '  cufllcsy  cn£ 
fortifications. 

THERE  are  few  towns  of  any  confequerice, 
even  along  the  fea-coafls  ;  though  when  fuc- 
cedively  under  the  dominion  of  Carthage  and  Rome, 
it  abounded  with  populous  cities.  Ail  the  fea-port 
towns,  except  the  metropolis,  are  thinly  peopled  ; 
fhofe  in  the  interior  p.m  of  the  country  Rill  more  fo> 
and  they  are  inhabited  by  a  haughty  robuft  people, 
who  trade  into  Biledulgerid  and  the  country  of  the 
blacks. 

BONA  is  fuppofed  to  be  the  fame  place  with  the 
antient  Hippo,  a  fea-port  built  by  the  ancients.  It 
was  formerly  the  capital  of  the  province  of  Bona. 
It  lies  on  the  Mediterranean  fea,  and  there  is  a  co 
ral  fifhery  near  it.  It  is  a  town  of  no  importance, 
and  of  {lender  population.  In  this  part  of  the 
world,  elegant  architecture  has,  for  many  centu 
ries,  been  utterly  forgotten  or  defpifed.  The  buil 
dings  of  Bona,  as  every  where  elfe,  are  therefore 
mean.  It  is  expofed  to  the  incurfions  of  the  Arabs, 
The  name  of  this  people  is  ufed  by  travellers  in  a 
very  indefinite  manner.  Algiers  is  at  the  diftanceof 
forne  hundreds  of  leagues  from  Arabia  :  but  as  this 
part  of  Africa  was  forrr^rly  conquered  by  that  na 
tion, 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      185 


tion,  under  the  banfters  of  Mahomet,  the  name  is 
ilili  applied  to  a  race  of  tawny  and  independent 
barbarians,  who  wander  in  gangs  about  the  country, 
and  unite  the  double  profeffion  of  a  fhepherd  and  a 
robber.  Bona  was  formerly  a  magnificent  city.  Its 
grandeur  is  now  only  to  be  traced  in  the  ruins  of  a 
monaftery.  It  has  a  fortrefs,  and  a  garrifon  of  three 
hundied  Turks, as  thefe  banditti  chufe  to  call  them- 
felves ;  a  Turk  being  the  mod  reputable  character 
in  that  country.  Thefe  adventurers  however  are 
not  Turks,  but  the  fweepings  of  all  nations  blended 
.  together.  They  are  commanded  by  an  aga,  who  is 
likewife  governor  of  the  town.  Bona  was  taken 
by  Charles  V.  in  his  expedition  to  Tunis,  but  was 
not  long  after  recovered  by  its  former  mailers* 

CONST ANTINA-  is  fituated  on  the  river  Sef 
Gomar,  forty- eight  miles  from  the  fea-coaft.  It  re 
ceived  its  prefent  name  from  that  of  a  princefs,  the 
daughter  of  the  emperor  Conftantine,  to  whom  it  is 
indebted  for  its  magnificence.  The  fituation  is  on 
a  penirifulaj ;  difficult  of  accefs,  except  towards  the 
fouth-weft.  It  is  ene  mile  in  circumference,  well 
fortified,  and  contains  many  fragments  of  ancient 
architecture.  In  particular  there  is  a  part  of  a  no 
ble  bridge  ;  and  near  it  is  a  large  fubterraneous 
aqueduct,  which  terminates  in  a  cafcade.  State  cri 
minals  are  fometimes  precipitated  down  this  place, 
and  dallied  to  pieces  againft  the  rocks  at  its  bottom. 
A  bey  refides  here,  and  has  under  his  command 
three  hundred  Turkish  horfe,  and  one  thoufand  five 
hundred  Moorish  foldiers.  The  inhabitants  of  Con- 
fontina  are  faid  to  be  opulent  and  haughty.  This 
city  was  formerly  the  refidence  of  a  race  of  kings 
who  governed  the  province  of  Conftantina,  of 
which  it  is  the  metropolis  ;  but  in  the  year  1520,  the 
Q  2  whole 


i&6      DESCRIPTION   OF    ALGIERS. 

whole  territory  was  conquered  by  Barbaroffa,  that* 
diftinguifhed  tyrant,  who  annexed  it  to  the  govern 
ment  of  Algiers.  Some  fplendid  ruins  exift  in  the 
\icinityof  Conftantina.  Upon  the  fea-coaft,  at  a 
fmall  diftance  from  it,  are  the  traces  of  a  Roman 
colony,  anciently  called  Colo-  It  is  Mtuated  on  a 
high  rock,  and  has  a  garrifon.  Adjoining  to  it  is 
a  French  factory,  to  which  the  Moors  bring  hides, 
wax,  and  wool,  for  fale.  At  no  great  diftaiu:e  are 
the  remains  of  the  ancient  city  of  Stora.  It  is  faid 
that  the  mountainous  part  of  this  territory  is  inha 
bited  by  a  hardy  people,  who  can  raiie  forty  thou* 
iand  fighting  men. 

G1GERI  is  fituated  about  fifteen  miles  from 
Bona.  It  contains  about  fifieen  hundred  houies, 
and  the  inhabitants  are  very  poor,  it  is  defended 
by  a  fort  and  a  fmall  garrifon*  The  natives  of  this 
part  of  the  country  are  independent  and  barbarous* 
They  retire,  when  circumftances  require  it,  to  in- 
acceffible  fsftneffes,  and  fet  the  dey  of  Algiers  at 
defiance.  Ships,  when  wrecked  on  this  coaft,  are 
plundered,  and  the  crews  are  treated  with  the  ut- 
moft  favagenefs.  In  this  refpe&,  however,  the 
natives  of  the  territory  of  Gigeri  cannot  differ  much 
for  the  worfe  from  the  reft  of  their  countrymen; 
nor  is  the  pratiice  peculiar  to  Barbary.  Scenes 
of  the  fame  kind  are  frequently  a6tec!  with  impu 
nity,  on  the  coaft  of  Cornwall,  and  other  mari 
time  counties  of  England  *,  The  French,  in  the 

year 

*  There  is  a  (lory  of  an  Engllfo  parfon,  whofe  con 
gregation,  during  the  time  of  divine  fervice,  heard  of  a 
ihipwreck.  In  fpite  of  his  utmoft  efforts  to  detain  theiiv 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS.     187 

year  1666,  bad  begun  to  fortify  Gigeri.  They 
were  driven  from  it  by  the  Algerines,  with  the  lofs 
of  their  cannon*  and  rnoil  of  their  effects. 

BUG!  A  was  formerly  the  capital  of  a  kingdom 
of  the  fame  name*  li  Hands  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  Major,  or  Zinganor,  about  twenty  leagues 
to  the  eaftward  of  Algiers.  It  is  little  better  than 
a  heap  of  ruins  j  a  deicription  which  applies  to  ai 
med  every  town  in  that  part  of  the  world.  It  has 
three  caftles,  two  at  the  port,  and  one  upon  a  rock, 
at  a  frnall  distance  behind  them.  In  the  year 
1671,  a  Britim  admiral  took  or  deftroyed,  in  this 
harbour,  nine  Algerine  ihips  of  war.  It  is  ex 
tremely  feldom  that  an  admiral  has  been  charged 
with  fuch  a  laudable  comrniffion> 

STESSA,  or  STEFFA,  is  fifuafed  in  a  fertile 
valley,  fixty  miles  to  the  fouth  of  Bugia,  and  fif 
teen  miles  from  the  fea.  It  exhibits  only  the  me 
lancholy  ruins  of  its  former  magnificence,  con 
taining  about  three  hundred  rniferable  families. 

TEBEF  was  formerly  a  flouriuSins:  city,  but  is 
at  prefent  extremely  reduced.  Z  AMOUR  A  is  in 
the  fame  condition.  It  is  defended  by  a  fort. 

COUCO  was  once  the  metropolis  of  a  kingdom 
of  the  fame  name.  Its  fovereigns  were  in  the 
habit  of  forming  alliances  with  the  court  of  Spain. 
For  this  reafon  the  Aigerines,  in  the  beginning  of 
the  feventeenth  century,  ravaged  the  whole  coun 
try, 

the  whole  affembly  rufhed  out  of  the  church,  in  a  body/ 
to  divide  the  plunder* 


ilS     DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS; 

try,  and  deftroyed  every  town  in  it.  The  inhabi-*- 
tants  have  ftill  fupported  their  independence,  by 
taking  refuge  in  the  mountainous  parts  of  the  coun* 
try,  which  are  faid  to  be  very  fertile;  but  the  Al- 
gerines  prevent  them  from  holding  aoy  intercotirfe 
with  foreign  nations. 

BISCARA  has  a  fort  and  garrifon.  One  of  the 
chief  employments  of  the  people  here  is  to  catch 
and  tame  lions,  tigers,  and  other  beafts  of  prey, 
which  they  carry  for  fale  to  Algiers. 

NECANZ  is  one  of  the  mbft  pkafant  towns  in 
Barbary.  It  is  watered  by  an  agreeable  river, 
\vhofe  banks  are  adorned  with  a  variety  of  beauti4- 
ful  trees.  The  town  contains  a  magnificent  mofq.ue 
and  a  college  for  the  education  of  Mahometan  ftu- 
dents. 

ORAN  is  fituated  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  weft  of  Algiers.  It  lies  partly  on  a  plain, 
and  partly  on  the  afcent  of  a  hill.  It  is  a  mile  and 
lialf  in  circumference  and  tolerably  fortified.  But 
it  is  unfortunately  commanded  by  feme  of  the 
neighbouring  eminences;  fo  that  a  garrifon  of  ten 
or  twelve  thoufand  men  is  neceffary  to  defend  it 
with  fuccefs  againft  a  fkilful  enemy*  As  the  Spa- 
fiim  coafts  and  merchant  fhips  bad  fuffered  much 
from  the  cor  fairs  of  this  port,  Ferdinand  king  of 
Spain  determined  to  attempt  its  reduction.  For 
this  purpofe  he  tranfported  into  Africa  an  army,  un 
der  the  command  of  his  prime  minifter  cardinal  XU 
nienes,  who  maintained  a  correfpondence  with  fome 
of  the  people  of  Oran  ;  and  when  the  Moors  fallied 
out  to  attack  the  Spanifh  army,  their  perfidious 
countrymen  fliut  their  gates  againft  them*  Xirne>- 

nes 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS,      18$ 

nes  killed  four  thoufand  of  the  barbarians,  and 
let  at  liberty  twenty  thoufand  Chriftian  flavesii 
The  Algerines,  during  almofi:  two  hundred  years, 
made  frequent  and  unfuccefsful  attempts  to  recover 
the  town.  At  laft,  in  1708,  they  retook  it.  In 
June  1732,  a  Spanifh  army  was  difernbarked  not  far 
from  Oran.  1  he  Turkifh  commander,  his  troops, 
and  the  inhabitants  were  feized  with  a  panic,  and 
abandoned  their  fortifications  without  much  refiiv- 
ance'.  The  victors  found  in  the  place  an  hundred' 
and  forty-fix'  pieces  of  cannon,  beildes  mortars,  and 
at  lead  fifty  (hip  loads  of  provifions.  This  latter  iup^ 
ply  contributed  much  to  the  prefervaiion  of  their 
new  conquetU  Without  it  they  nmll  have  run  the 
greateft  hazard  of  periihing  in  the  m:dft  of  fuc1- 
cefs  ,*  as  a  terhpeft,  which  lafted  fbr  feveral  days, 
cut  off  all  intercourfe  between  the  army  upon 
Ihore,  and  the  fleet  at  f§a°  The  Moors  not  long 
after  attacked  the  Spaniards  with  great  fury,  but 
were  finally  repuifed  with  great  (laughter"  on  both 
fides.  The  greateft  part  of  this  town  has  lately 
been  laid  in  ruins  by  an  earthquake  ;  fmce  which 
it  has  been  evacuated  by  the  Spaniards,  and  left 
in  pofledion  of  the  Turks.  From  thcfc  ruins  l He 
dey  of  Algiers  has  lately  exported  great  quantities 
of  white  ft  one  for  the  purpoie  of  building  his  new 
niofque. 

I 

TREMESEN  was  formerly 'the  capital  town  of  a 
kingdom  ef  that  name.  It  is  filuated  ninety  miles 
fouth-weft  of  Oran,  furrounded  by  a  flrong  wall 
and  well  fortified.  It  has  five  gates  with  draw 
bridges  before  them,  and  a  caftle  containing  hand- 
fome  barracks  for  the  Janifaries  who  are  in  garrifon. 
Tremefen  while  a  metropolis  was  a  fplendid  city. 
It  contained  one  hundred  and  fifty  mofques,  and 

one 


I9o     DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS, 

one  hundred  and  fixty  public  baths.  Since  it  cea- 
fed  to  be  the  feat  of  an  independent  government, 
it  has  fallen  into  ruins  and  defolation.  The 
mofques  are  reduced  to  eight,  and  its  public  baths  to 
four.  The  inhabitants  are  extremely  indigent- 

MOSTAGAN  (lands  fifty  miles  eaft  of  Oran. 
This  town  is  built  in  the  form  of  a  theatre  open 
ing  to  the  fea,  and  furrounded  on  every  other  fide 
with  rocks  that  hang  over  it.  The  ruins  of  an 
old  Moorim  caille  itands  in  a  fpace  between  the 
rocks,  and  there  a  ftrong  Hone  wall  towards  the 
port,  with  a  modern  built  caftle,  gairifbned  by  a 
number  of  Turks.  The  citadel  is  creeled  upon 
the  fummit  of  one  of  the  rocks,  and  commands 
both  city  and  territory.  The  haven  is  commodi 
ous,  and  the  town  is  well  fupplied  with  water. 
The  neighbouring  mountains  are  inhabited  by  a 
people  called  Magarabas,  who  live  in  tents,  and 
poflefs  a  great  number  of  flocks*  There  is  a 
handfome  mofque  in  this  town. 

TENEZ  is  fituated  about  one  hundred  miles  to 
the  eaftward  of  Oran,  twenty  miles  eaft  of  Mofta- 
gan,  and  at  a  league  diftant  from  the  fea,  where 
it  has  a  convenient  port.  There  is  a  caftle  that 
was  once  a  royal  palace,  and  in  which  the  go 
vernor  refides.  The  fortifications  are  ftrong,  the 
garrifon  numerous,  and  the  neighbouring  territory 
fertile. 

SERCELLI  lies  between  Tenez  and  Algiers, 
about  twenty-four  miles  to  the  weftward  of  the  lat 
ter.  It  is  defended  by  a  Turkith  garrifon,  and 
has  a  port  which  will  only  admit  of  fmail  vef- 

(eb 


DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS.     191 

fels.      This    was  anciently    a  large    and  populous 
city,     but  is  at  prefent  a  poor  and  dcfolatc  place. 

THE  CITY  OF  ALGIERS- 
Its  Origin. 

THE  names  of  the  original  founders  of  this  cily 
have  never  been  fatisfadorily  afceitaincd.  1  he  ac 
counts  tranfmitted  to  us  by  hiftorians  arc  involved  in 
much  doubt  and  uncertainty,  and  its  foundation  has 
been  aicribed  to  various  princes  generally  oi  Roman 
extraction. 

The  teflirrony  of  Strabo,  however,  feerrs  the 
mod  authentic-.  In  his  account  of  Mauritania  Ca- 
farunjis  he  informs  us,  tl  at  there  was  formerly  an 
ancient  city  on  the  Mediterranean  known  by  the 
name  of  Jol,  which  was  founded  by  Juba  the  father 
of  Ptolemy,  and  fon  of  Juba  he  Mitt  king  of  that 
name  in  Mauritania.  It  is  fituated,  according  to 
him,  about  the  thiriy-feventh  .degree  of  north  lati 
tude,  and  has  a  in;ali  i£and  in  the  harbour  ;  and  as 
there  is  no  other  place  upon  the  Mediterranean  thus 
circumilanord,  it  may  be  prefurned  that  the  ancient 
city  of  Jol  is  the  fame  as  that  of  Algieis. 

Juba  was  taken  prifoncr  in  the  wars  between  Pom- 
pey  and  the  Cxfarian  party,  and  carried  to  Rome, 
where  he  was  ordered  to  be  educated.  He  foon  ac 
quitted  himfelf  fo  well  in  his  Oudies,  that  Auguf- 
tus  not  only  gave  him  his  liberty,  but  married  him 
to  the  beautiful  Silene,  the  daughter  of  Mark  An 
thony  and  Cleopatra,  and  reftored  him  his  father's 
cxtenfive  kingdom  of  Mauritania,  which  at  that 
time  included  the  kingdoms  of  Morocco,  Fez, 
Tremefen,  Gran,  Tunis,  Algiers  and  Bugia.  As 


z92      DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

a  grateful  acknowledgement  for  fo  fignal  a  favour, 
he  gave  the  city  of  Jol  the  name  of  Jol  Caefarca,  and 
as  he  conferred  a'  new  name  upon  this  city  in  parti 
cular,  in  order  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  < 
his  noble  friend,  we  may  prciume  it  was  anciently 
one  of  the  moil  important  cities  in  Mauritania. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  feventh  century,  the 
-Mahometan  Arabs  over-ran  all  Mauritania;  and  as 
thev  leeuied  to  have  a  particular  hatred  Jo  the 
works,  as  well  as  the  names  of  the  Romans  which 
they  abolilhed,  they  called  this  city  Algezair  or  ra 
ther  Al  Jezier,  or  Al-Jezerah,an  Arabfcword  which 
fignilies  belonging  to  an  ifland,  bccaufe  there  was  a,n 
ifhnd  before  "it,  which  is  now  joined  toil  by. a  mole, 
and  forms  one  of  the  fides  of  the  harbour. 
Turks  call  it  Al  Jezeire  Al  Gazit,\.e.  Algiers  the 
warlike,  and  in  their  public  letters  and  record: 
Al  }e-Zrirc,  i.  e.  the  iflaud  of  the  weft,  to  ciHm- 
guiai  it  from  a  city  of  the  fame  name  near  the  Dar 
danelles.  Hotter  Shaw  fays  we  fhould  pronounce  ij 
Al-Je-Zeiial). 


THIS  city  is  the  capital  of  the  kingdom  of  At 
giers  and   probably  the  Icojium  of  the  ancients,    j 
Ys  fituated  at  the  36th  degree  49th  niinute  of  North 
Latitude,     and    the    7yth  degree   37th    minute  < 
Eaft  Longitude  from  Philadelphia,  and  lies  neai 
in  the  fame  latitude  with  the  fcuthcrn  boundary  oi 
Virginia  in  the  United  States.  It  is  built  en  the  de 
clivity  of  a   mountain  by  the   fea-fide,  facing   the 
north,  on  a  bay  of  the  iMediterranean  fea.  The  houies 
rife    gradually  from  the    fea-fhore,  in  the    form  of 
an  amphitheatre,  and   terminate  nearly   in  a  pom 
towards  the  furnmit  of  the  mountain.     The  town, 

with 


DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS.      193 

;\vithits  mofques,  cafiles,  and  other  public   build 
ings,  has  a  beautiful  appearance  at  a  diUance  when 
approaching  from  the  water,  and  when   firft  difco- 
vered  looks  like  the  top-fail  of  a  fhip. 


Houjcs* 

THE  iides  of  the  houfes  are  white,  and  in  confe- 
quence  at  a  diftance  one  would  take  it  to  be  a  place 
where  they  bleach  linen.     The  roofs  are  flat  ;   fo 
that  the  people  can  vilit  each  other,  at  a  coniidera- 
blediflance  without  going  into  the  ftreets. Where  the 
houfes  are  of  an  unequal    height,  there  is  always  a 
communication  by  a  ladder.     AsMhey  are  open  at 
top  it  is  eafy   for  any  one  to  enter  them,  but  theft 
and    robbery  are    fcarcely   ever   known  ;    for  if  a 
ftranger  is  apprehended  in  a  houfe   without  having 
previoufly  lent    in    his    name,  he   feldom    efcapes 
capital  punifhment.     The  tops  of  the   houfes   are 
paved  with  a  kind  of  brick  or  tile,  and  a  brick  wall 
is  built  up  about    breaii   high  to    prevent    perfons 
from   falling.       Above  thefe,  fummer    houfes    are 
.erecled,   and  as  there  are  no  iquares,  gardtns,  or 
(public  walks  in  the  whole  city,  the  inhabitants  re- 
[pair  to  thefe  places  after  their  bufmefs  is  finished, 
for  the  purpofe  of  recreation,  and  the  pleafure  of 
peeing  their  corfairs   bring  in  prizes.     One  houfe 
irifes  above  another   in  fuch  a   manner  that  they  do 
Inot   hinder  each  other's  profp^ct  towards  the   fea. 
jThey   are    fquare  and   built   of   ftone  and    bricks, 
[with  a    fqjare   court  iu  the    middle;  around  this 
court  is  a  double  range  of  galleiies,  one  above  the 
other,    and    both    fupported     by    columns.       The 
houfes  are  in  general   three  fioius   high,  arid  con 
tain  £vc  or  LA  Ljmilies;   and  iuch   is  their  fir^ular 
R  prediliciion 


194    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

predilidb'on  for  white,  that  all  the  outfides  and  in« 
fides  of  their  houfes,  mofques  and  public  buildings, 
are  whitewafhed  once  a  year.  Their  number  is 
computed  to  be  about  15000*  Their  rooms  are  pa 
ved  with  fquare  tiles  or  bricks  of  feveral  colours 
neatly  joined  together.  The  inward  rooms  have 
no  light  but  what  they  receive  from  the  gates, 
which  are  large,  and  reach  up  to  the  ceiling. 
Thofe  fronting  the  ftreets  have  fome  windows,  in 
which  are  fixed  round  crofs  bars  of  iron  four  or  five 
inches  afunder,  but  they  have  no  panes  of  glafs  ; 
fo  that  they  referable  prifons  rather  than  houfes. 
They  have  no  chimnies,  but  make  their  fires  in 
earthen  pots,  commonly  placed  near  the  door  to 
Jet  out  the  fmoke,  which  is  apt,  however,  to  fully 
thear  walls.  Their  houfehold  furniture  confifts  of 
a  few  earthen  pots,  platters,  fpoons,  ladles,  wood 
en  trunks,  and  a  mat  and  two  quilts  laid  on  the 
floor,  which  ferves  them  fora  bed. 


Water, 

THEY  have  neither  fprings  nor  wells  in  the 
whole  city  ;  and  till  the  lad  century  their  only 
fupply  was  rain  water,  when  a  Moor  who  had  been 
driven  from  Spain  con(lru6led  two  aqueducls,  by 
which  they  are  now  fupplied  from  a  iprinp  which 
rifes  out  of  a  hill  about  1700  paces  from  the  city, 
near  the  place  where  Charles  V.  pitched  his  tent  in 
1541.  Since  which  time  aqueducls  have  been  formed 
from  feveral  other  fprings  in  the  country  ;  and  the 
water  is  plentifully  conveyed  into  the  city  by  con- 
duils  or  pipes  under  ground,  which  fupply  upwards 
of  150  fountains;  at  each  of  which  a  bowl  is  faf- 
£cn,cd  for  the  ufe  of  paffengeris.  The  water  which 

falls 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     19; 

falls  to  the  ground  runs  ofF  through  fmall  holes  in 
the  ftreets  near  each  fountain,  and  difcharges  itfelf 
into  common  fewers,  through  which  the  filth  of 
the  city  is. conveyed  away.  Ai^  thefe  pipes  dif- 
charge  therafelves  into  the  common  refervoir  at  the 
end  of  the  mole,  where  the  (hips  take  in  their  wa 
ter.  Every  one  takes  his  turn  at  thefe  places,  ex 
cept  the  Turks,  who  are  nrft  ferved,  and  the  Jews 
laft,  who  in  this  particular  are  poilponed  even  to> 
the  flaves  themfelves. 


Public  Buildings,  £?r« 

THERE  are  ten  great  mofques  and  fifty  fmalkr 
ones,  which  have  a  ftriking  efFe£t.  The  dey's 
new  mofque  was  begun  about  the  year  1790,  and 
(lands  upon  the  ground  that  was  formerly  occupied 
by  the  Bagnio  Cedimo.  It  is  60  by  40  feet,  three 
ftories  high,  and  fupported  by  pillars  of  white 
marble  imported  from  Genoa-  The  walls  are  of 
white  ftone  from  the  ruins  of  Oran,  and  the  Ame 
rican  (laves  were  generally  employed  on  Friday  in 
carrying  them  from  the  mole  up  to  the  mofque. 

Near  this  mofque  Rands  the  Logger  Baftion,  the 
place  of  execution  for  Turks  and  Coulolies. 

The  feraglio  of  the  dey's  favorite  wife  is  the 
moft  fuperb  edifice  in  the  city.  It  is  fupported  by 
pillars  of  curious  workmanfhip,  embellilhed  in  an 
elegant  ftyle  of  architecture,  and  from  the  ceiling 
of  each  apartment  is  fufpended  a  cluftre-  of  lamps- 
that  make  a  fplendid  appearance. 

The  dey's  palace  is  the  largeft  edifice,  and 
(lands  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  city.  This  build 
ing  is  very  extenfive,  and  furrounded  by  two  fu 
perb  galleries  fupported  by  marble  pillars. 

There 


396    DSSCRIPTIO  N   OF  ALGIERS. 

There  are  nine  fine  ftru&ures  which  the  Janifaneg^ 
occupy  as  cazarees  or  barracks,  which  will  hold  6ocy 
each;  fix  of  which  are  appropriated  to  the  ufe  of  un 
married  Turkiih  foldiers.  Upon  the  top  of  thefe  ca 
zarees  there  are  Turkifn  fcldiers  always  Rationed, 
who  cry  out  with  a  loud  voice  whenever  a  fail  is 
difcovered  at  fea. 

There  are  three  great  colleges  or  public  fchools, 
and  a  great  number  of  petty  ones  for  children  ; 
four  funnies  or  public  inns,  fuch  as  in  Turkey  ; 
and  above  fixty  public  bagnios  or  baths,  at  a  very 
moderate  rate.  The  women  have  baths  of  their 
own,  where  the  men  dare  not  corne.  But  they 
have  no  caravanferas ;  but  only  a  few  tippling 
huts,  cork-fhops,  &c.  kept  by  Chriftian  flaves,  for 
the  accommodation  of  Greeks,  and  the  poorer 
fort  of  travellers,  where  any  thing  may  be  had  for 
money. 

There  are  feveral  tolerable  edifices  without  the< 
walls  of  the  town,  which  add  to  the  beauty  of  the 
environs.  Among  thefe  are  a  great  number  of 
Turkilh  fepulchres  and  monuments;  as  alfo  cells 
or  chapels,  dedicated  to  marabouts,  or  reputed 
faints,  which  the  women  go  to  vifit  every  Friday. 
One  of  thefe  monuments  contains  fix  magnificent 
tombs  of  a  circular  figure,  which  were  erected  to  the 
memory  of  fix  deys,  who  were,  in  the  courfe  of  a 
few  days,  fucceflively  ele6led  and  murdered.  With 
refpedt  to  the  burial  of  their  dead,  the  Mahometans 
difcover  a  degree  of  delicacy,  of  which  Chriftiaos 
have  no  conception.  Their  graves  are  never  bro 
ken  up  a  fecond  time,  and  the  profeflbrs  of  the/ 
Mahometan  religion  regard  it  as  an  a  61  of  the  moft' 
barbarous  facrilege  to  diiiurb  the  remains  of  the 
dead,  by  opening  their  graves  at  any  diftance  of 

time. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     197 

time,  or  upon  any  pretence  whatever.  Hence  their 
burial  grounds  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  large  city 
are  fometimes  ten  miles  in  extent. 


Bagnios* 

THERE  are  but  two  bagnios  in  the  city,  built 
of  Hone,  where  the  ilaves  are  lodged,  the  one  cal- 
ied  the  Bagnio  Baleck  and  the  other  the  Bagnio 
Gallaro  ;  the  former  of  which  is  much  the  largeft, 
and  will  contain  three  times  as  greafc,  a  number  as 
the  latter.  They  (land  in  the  main  fireet  within 
about  fifty  yards  of  each  other,  between  Bubazoon 
and  the  dey's  palace.  The  lower  apartments  of 
thefe  bagnios  are  occupied  a?  taverns,  which  are 
kept  by  Haves,  who  pay  the  dey  an  annual  tribute 
for  the  privilege,  according  to  the  quantity  of  li 
quor  they  fell.  The  tavern-keepers  frequently 
manufacture  their  own  wine  in  thefe  bagnios^  from 
grapes  purchafed  of  the  Moors.  To  th^fe  places 
the  Turks  refort  while  the  flaves  are  at  labour  ;  but 
foon  as  the  flaves  return  the  warden  bafhaw  com 
pels  them  to  retire  :  for  they  are  not  fuflered  to  be 
with  the  flaves.  Each  apartment  is  large  enough 
to  accommodate  about  a  dozen  flaves*  The  win 
dows  are  formed  of  round  crofs  bars  of  iron  a* 
bout  three  or  four  inches  apart,  but  without  panes 
of  glafs.  Down  the  fides  of  the  walls  hang  heavy 
chains  of  long  1  nks  fixed  to  flaples,  with  rings  to 
the  ends,  in  which  all  diforderly  flaves  are  confined 
either  by  the  leg  or  neck  till  morning,  when  they 
are  punifhed  according  to  their  crimes.  Thefe  bagnios 
are  under  the  guardianfhip  of  two  corporals,  who 

are 
R  2 


i93      DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS. 

are  chofen  from  among  the  ftrongeft  and  mod  robufl 
of  the  flaves  whom  they  attend  at  labour. 

In  the  bagnio  Gallaro  five  apartments  are  occu 
pied  by  wild  hearts,  fuch  as  lions,  tygers,  leo 
pards,  &c»  intended  as  prefents  to  nations  in  alli 
ance  with  the  dey.  Some  of  thefe  beads  ibmetimes 
break  loofe  from  their  boxes,  and  they  are  not  con 
fined  again  till  "fome  one  falls  a  victim  to  their 
fury. 

Befides  thefe  taverns  there  is  one  called  the  Rap- 
pagee,  near  the  the  port  of  Bubazocn,  and  ano 
ther  called  the  Sanduke  of  the  Luke,  intended  as 
a  kind  of  hofpital  for  lunatics. 

The  celebrated  admiral  Pinchinin  was  the  own 
er  of  a  large  bagnio  about  the  year  1640,  which  is 
defcribed  as  follows.  This  bagnio  was  occupied 
by  all  fuch  flaves  as  were  intended  for  his  galleys. 
It  was  a  fpacious  building  through  which  there 
was  a  narrow  paiTage  or  entry,  which  led  into  a 
large  vault,  that  received  only  a*fmail-  portion  of 
light  from  a  grate  above  ;  but  fo  inefficient  that 
in  fome  of  the  apartments  it  was  neceffary  to  keep 
lamps  burning  the  whole  day.  In  the  upper  parts 
of  the  building  there  was  a  large  fquare,  contain 
ing  feveral  galleries  two  liories  high, between  which 
were  feveral  apartments,  and  a  church  for  Chrif- 
tian  flaves  large  enough  to  contain  300  perfons. 
The  roof  was  flat  and  terraced  according  to  the 
Spanifh  mode.  This  bagnio  contained  550  Haves 
belonging  to  Pinchinin,  whom  he  allowed  three 
hours  every  day  to  provide  for  their  own  fubfift- 
ence,  which  they  employed  in  Healing  and  the 
practice  of  every  fpecies  of  villany.  The  articles  that 
had  been  ftolen  the  preceding  day  were  fold  every 
morning  at  public  auction  in  the  bagnio,  and  thus 

were 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS.     199 

were  thefe  miferable  beings  fupported.  But  great 
numbers  of  them,  notwhhOanding,  ftarved  to  death 
every  year,  and  a  traveller  informs  us  that  twenty 
Engliihmen  died  here  in  one  winter  through  mere 
want. 


Streets. 

NOME  of  the  ftreets  in  Algiers  have  any  names. 
They  generally  afcend  with  the  hill,  and  are  fo  ex 
tremely  narrow  that  two  perfons  can  fcarcely  walk 
•a-breaft.  The  middle  part  is  lower  than  the  fides 
for  the  purpofe  cf  conveying  off  the  water  more 
conveniently.  The  principal  ftreet  is  1200  paces 
in  length  ;  it  runs  north  and  ibuth  from  the  port  of 
Bubazoon  to  Babloet,  and  is  not.  above  twelve  feet 
wide.  This  flreet  is  filled  with  elegant  houfes,  and 
the  (lores  of  the  principal  merchants,  in  which  there 
are  markets  for  corn,  bread,  rneat,  fifh,  &c. 

When  any  loaded  beads,  fuch  as  camels,  horfes, 
mules  or  alles  pafs  along,  one  is  forced  to  ftand  up 
clofe  to  the  wall  to  let  them  pafs  by  ;  and  what  is 
ftill  worfe,  the  infolence  of  the  Turkifh  foldiers  is 
fuch  that  a  Chriftian,  of  whatever  rank  he  may  be, 
muft  (land  clofe  againft  the  wall  till  they  have 
paiTed  by  ;  otherwife  they  would  not  fail  to  (how 
their  fuperiority  by  a£ls  of  violence.  It  has  been 
thought  that  the  ftreets  were  made  narrow,  in  order 
that  the  buildings  might  afford  a  {belter  againft  the 
heat  of  the  fun  ;  but  it  is  evident  that  their  narrow- 
nefs  is  intended  to  prevent  the  bad  effects  of  earth 
quakes  ;  fince  the  fronts  of  almoft  all  the  houfes  are 
fupported  by  rafters,  which  extend  from  one  to  the 
other  acrofs  the  ftreets. 

Gates. 


200     DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS, 


Gates. 

THE  city  has  five  gates,  which  are  open  fron 
day-break  till  fun-fet;  after  which  no  one  can  er 
ter  the  city.  i.  POKTA  Piscou,  or  fiber's  gate, 
opens  to  the  mole  on  the  eaft  ;  near  this  gate  is 
the  place  of  rendezvous  for  fifhing  boats.  The 
fifhermen  fit  in  rows  within  the  gate,  and  expoie 
their  fifti  to  fale  in  large  bafkets.  2.  PORTA- 
NOVA,  or  Newgate,  opens  to  the  fcuth-weH,  and 
is  the  paffage  to  the  imperial  caflle.  3.  BABLOETV 
or  as  it  is  rather  pronounced  Rublywhite,  Hands  to 
the  north.  4.  BABAZIRA,  which  opens  into  the 
harbour.  This  is  the  gate  where  the  American 
prifoners  were  examined  when  they  paffed  from 
the  marine.  5.  BABAZON,  or  rather  Bubazcon, 
is  due  fouth  :  but  neither  this  nor  Babloet  are  of 
much  confederation*  Near  this  gate  is  the  place  of 
execution  for  ilaves  :  a  "platform  is  built  on  the  top,, 
about  fifty  feet  high,  from  whence  criminals  are 
precipitated  down  an  oblique  wall,  in  which  are 
fixed  ganches  or  hooks  at  Ihort  diftances,  by  which 
the  malefactor  is  either  hung  or  torn  to  pieces  ;, 
and  fhould  he  efcape  thefe,  he  is  fure  to  be  daft> 
ed  to  pieces  upon  fharp  rocks  which  lie  below- 


City  Wall. 

THE  city  is  furrounded  by  a  wall  about  a  league 
in  circumference,  and  defended  by  fquare  towers 
and  baftions  with  which  they  are  flanked.  The 
lower  part  of  the  wall  is  of  hewn  (lone ;  it  i* 

twelve 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     201 

twelve  feet  thick,  thirty  feet  high  on  the  land  fide, 
and  forty  feel  towards  the  lea  ;  and  contains  many 

houfes. 

Mote. 

THE  harbour  is  the  work  of  irnmenfe  labour  and 
difficulty.  It  is  about  fifteen  feet  deep,  and  ex 
tremely  dangerous  for  veffels.  It  is  formed  by  a 
inoie  in  the  form  of  a  iemicircle,  about  500  paces 
in  length,  lying  north-cad  and  fouth-weft  from  the 
town  to  a  final  1  ifland  or  rock  called  (he  Lantern  ; 
from  which  another  mole  of  the  fame  length  is  ex 
tended  north  and  fouth,  for  the  purpofe  of  forming 
a  fhelter.  In  the  angle  of  thefe  two  moles  (lands  a 
fquare  edifice,  in  the  middle  of  which  there  is  a 
court  with  rails,  and  four  fountains  ufed  for  ablu 
tions  when  the  hour  of  prayer  is  proclaimed. 
Round  the  four  fides  is  a  feat  covered  with  a  mat, 
where  the  admiral  and  officers  of  the  navy  hold 
their  daily  meetings.  The  caftle  called  Sardinia, 
and  the  caftle  of  the  Lantern  fland  on  the  rnole  ; 
the  former  of  which  is  mounted  with  two,  and  the 
latter  with  three  tire  of  guns.  The  lower  tire  are 
32  pounders ;  but  they  are  never  prepared  for  de 
fence  upon  fudden  emergencies,  for  the  lower  apart 
ments  are  fo  filled  with  large  quantities  of  lumber 
and  naval  (lores,  that  an  enemy,  fuddenly  running 
into  the  harbour,  might  deftroy  the  city  before  .they 
could  bring  their  heavier  pieces  to  play.  Along  the 
fide  of  the  mole  there  is  a  wharf  for  loading  and  un 
loading  (hips,  and  for  mooring  galleys  and  other 
veffels.  Beneath  the  rnole  on  one  fide  is  a  ftone  quay, 
and  on  the  other  fide  a  fandy  and  rocky  bank. 
All  veffels  lying  along  fide  the  mole  are  moored 
about  fifteen  yards  from  the  more,  and  fecured  by  a 

number 


202     DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS. 


. 


number  of  cables  which  extend  in  different  direc 
tions,  and  are  lafhed  faft  to  cannon  planted  in  the 
mole.  The  moft  'boifterous  fea  is  occaiioned  by  a 
north-eaft  wind.  In  the  time  of  violent  ftornis  a 
number  of  the  (laves,  particularly  Tailors,  are  con 
tinually  Rationed  upon  the  mole,  with  Turklfii 
guards,  to  affift  the  velTeisin  cafe  of  neceffity* 

The  winter  is  the  mod  dangerous  feafon  for  vef* 
fels,  and  whenever  a  violent  northern  or  north-eaft 
wind  blows,  they  are  in  danger  either  of  being 
greatly  damaged  or  driven  on  fhore. 

On  the  north  fide  of  the  rock  is  fituated  the  light* 
houfe  fort,  which  is  diligently  lighted  every  night 
for  the  Security  of  veffels  entering  the  harbour.  Tt 
has  three  batteries  of  brafs  cannon.  A  little  to  the 
fouth  ward  of  this  there  is  another  which  defends  the 
entrance  of  the  harbour,  and  is  mounted  with  80 
pieces  of  cannon,  12,  18,  and  36  pounders,  point 
ed  from  north  to  fouth  ;  moft  of  which  were  taken 
taken  from  the  Tunifians  in  1617.  On  the  north 
and  fouth  mole  there  are  rope-walks  and  feveral 
magazines,  where  naval  ftores,  and  the  cargoes x>f 
captured  veffels  are  depofited. 


Caftles  and  Fortifications* 

NEAR  the  city  on  the  land  fide  are  four  caftles, 
the  moft  confiderabie  of  which  is  the  imperial  caftie, 
or  the  caftle  of  the  emperor,  which  is  fituated  on 
an  eminence  at  the  diftance  of  half  a  league  to  the 
fouth  fouth-weft,  and  commands  the  whole  city, 
harbour,  and  the  adjacent  country.  It  is  fo  called' 
bccaufe  the  emperor  Charles  V.  laid  the  foundation 
of  it  in  1541,  when  he  was  befieging  the  city.  But 
it  is  only  mounted  with  a  few  pieces  of  frnall  can 
non. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      203 

non,  either  through  neglect  or  an  apprehenfion  that 
it  might  prove  deftru£Hve  to  the  city  in  cafe  it 
fhould  fall  into  the  hands  of  an  enemy  ;  for  it  is  fitu- 
ated  on  fo  advantageous  an  eminence  that  from  it 
the  city  might  foon  be  battered  into  ruins. 

The  new  caille,  commonly  called  the  Star,  is 
built  in  a  heptagonal  form,  and  fituated  on  an  emi 
nence  to  the  fouth-weft.  The  other  two  are  called 
Bubazoon  and  Babloet,  becaufe  they  are  near  and 
oppofite  the  gates  of  the  fame  name  ,*  but  neither 
of  them  are  of  much  confederation. 

Befides  thefe  there  are  feveral  along  the  fhore  on 
the  weft  fide  of  the  city.  The  battery  of  the  mole 
gate  (lands  upon  the  eaft  angle  of  the  city,  and  is 
mounted  with  fix  pieces  of*  ordnance,  one  of  which 
has  feven  cylinders,  each  of  them  three  inches  in 
diameter.  About  half  a  league  to  the  weft  fouth- 
weft  of  the  harbour  is  the  battery  of  the  timer's  gate, 
which  is  defended  by  a  double  tire  of  cannon,  and 
commands  the  entrance  of  the  port  and  the  road  be 
fore  it. 

The  ftrongeft  fortifications  are  at  the  entrance  of 
the  harbour,  the  fituation  of  which  adds  to  its  fecu- 
rity  ;  as  the  northern  winds  are  generally  violent, 
and  occafion  fuch  a  fea,  thatfhips  would  be  expofed 
to  great  danger,  either  in  the  road  or  along  the 
fhore. 

M^ny  former  writers,  either  through  ignorance, 
or  a  mifgrounded  prejudice,  have  reprefented  all 
the(e  fortification  fo  impregnable  that  they  bid  de 
fiance  to  the  confederated  powers  of  the  Chriftians. 
But  recent  and  more  accurate  obfervations  have  de- 
tefted  the  fallacy  of  this  account  :  and  all  per- 
fons  of  obfervatipn  who  have  lately  refided  there, 
unanimcuily  concur  in  the  opinion,  that  three  or 
at  rnoft  four  Biitifh  fifty-gun  (hips,  provided  they 

met 


*04      DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS 

met  with  no  difafler  from  the  elements,  would  Toon 
batter  it  about  the  ears  of  the  inhabitants  from  the 
harbour.  A  late  writer  obferves,  that  notwithstanding 
their  fortifications,  the  city  is  fo  commanded  by  the 
adjacent  hills  on  every  fide  but  that  of  the  fea,  that 
from  thefe  eminencies,  where  it  is  moft  vulnerable, 
abefieging  army  would  foon  batter  it  into  a  heap  of 
ruins. 

It  is  not  a  little  fingular,  however,  that  this  city 
has,  for  feveral  ages,  braved  feme  of  the  greatel! 
powers  in  Chriilendom  I  but  this  rnufl  be  imputed 
to  the  very  injudicious  conduct  of  mod  of  the  be- 
fieger?,  or  the  violence  of  tempefls  which  have 
proved  deOruclive  to  fo  many  veflels  in  their  har 
bour.  The  Spaniards  in  their  attempts  to  reduce 
Algiers,  have  been  the  mod  material  fufFerers  ;  but 
the  pufilanimity  of  their  forces  has  long  been  pro 
verbial,  and  Spanidi  difcomfiture  is  no  kind  of  crite 
rion  to  judge  of  the  defenfivc  powers  of  the  Alge- 
Fines* 


CHAP. 


DESCRIPTION   OF    ALGIERS.     205 

CHAP.     HI. 
Irikflifantiy  cnftQms  and  manners   of   the    city  of 


THE  prefent  dey  of  Algiers  was  originally  a 
Turkifh  foldier,  and  was  imported  into  Al 
giers  from  a  place  near  Smyrna  about  the  year 
1786.  He  was  at  firft  employed  about  the  old 
dey's  palace,  and  by  his  artifice  he  foon  after 
became  fo  great  a  court  favorite,  that  he  obtained 
the  office  of  vichelhadge  of  the  marine.  Shortly 
after  this  event  the  caltan-aga,  or  prime  rninifter, 
through  the  intrigues  of  the  bafhaw  ofConftantina 
with  the  old  dey,  fell  a  victim  to  the  bow-ftring, 
and,  HafTan  Bafhaw,  the  prefent  dey,  was  promo 
ted  to  the  vacant  Office  of  caflan-aga.  Cedelli, 
who  was  a  Grecian  of  an  enterprifing  fpirit,  fuc- 
ceeded  him  in  the  office  of  vichelhadge,  and  the 
old  dey  fhortly  after  dying  a  natural  death,  Ce 
delli,  who  was  Hafifan's  friend,  infilled  upon  his 
affuming  the  imperial  chair.  HaiTan  discovered 
great  reluctance  ;  but  Cedelli,  who  came  armed 
with  a  party  for  the  purpofe,  forced  him  into  the 
chair  and  fupported  him  there.  The  aga  fliortly 
after  made  his  appearance,  intending  to  contefhhe 
right  of  fovereignty  with  him,  and  attempted  to 
affaflinate  him  him  in  his  feat ;  but  he  was  feized 
by  the  chiahs,  who  dragged  him  to  the  Logger 
Baft  ion,  where  he  received  the  bow-Oring,  and  one 
of  Haffan's  friends  was  appointed  aga  in  his  (lead* 

Haffaa 
S 


206     DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS. 

Ha  (Tan  afterwards  married  the  daughter  of  the  for-^ 
rner  caflan-aga,  who  had  beerrexecuted  through  the 
intrigues  of  the  bafhaw  of  Conftantina,  and  after 
Haflan  was  eftabliilied  in  the  ibvereignty,  fhe  per- 
fuaded  him  to  bow-tiring  this  bafhaw  ;  and  as  fhe 
was  Haffan's  favorite  wife  her  defire  was  granted, 
and  the  baftiaw  fell  a  vi&im  to  her  reientment. 

Cedelli  foon  after  greatly  incurred  the  difplea- 
fiire  of  Haffan.  The  dey  had  ifTued  orders  that 
no  Dutch  veflels  fhould  be  captured  within  forty, 
days  ;  but  Cedelli,  either  through  defign  or  inad 
vertence,  gave  inftru6lions  to  the  corfairs  to  make 
immediate  captures,  and  feveral  Dutch  veffels 
were  brought  into  Algiers  ;  which  fo  violently 
exafperated  Haflan,  that  he  demanded  in  a  vengeful 
and  farcaftic  tone,  whether  he  or  Cedelli  was  dey 
cf  Algiers?  Cedelli  fortunately  efcaped  the  bow- 
ilnng,  but  was  immediately  baniihed  from  Al 
giers. 

When  confuls,  foreign  agents,  and  other  official 
cliara&ers  enter  the  dey's  palace,  they  are  requeued 
10  puii  oiF  their  (hoes,  and  this  ceremony  is  al 
ways  expected.  His  vifitors  then  approach  him 
with  great  reverence  and  kits  his  hand.  The  dey 
and  his  vifitors  are  feated  on  ilabs  of  marble  or  {late 
projecting  from  the  wail,  about  three  feet  high,  up- 
»  :i  which  are  placed  cufhions  elegantly  embroidered 
<md  fringed  with  gold,  where  his  vifitors  fit  croisi 
legged.  The  dey  fits  with  a  large  fan  of  oftriches* 
feathers  in  his  hand.  All  other  Turks  of  diflinc- 
tion  receive  their  vifitors  in  the  fame  manner. 
While  they  are  thus  feated  they  are  ferved  by  flavesj 
vvith  coffee,  which  is  confidered  the  greateft  treat 
that  can  be  given,  and  as  a  particular  mark  of  dii- 
unction  conferred  upon  his  vifitors. 

No 


DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS.      207 

No  perfon  is  fuffered  to  enter  his  palace  vvifh  dag 
gers  or  any  kind  of  arms  ;  and  when  fuch  attempts 
are  made,  the  dey,  through  apprehenfion  of  adaffi- 
r»asion,  makes  the  tncft  hideous  outcries  ;  the  delin 
quent  is  feized,  and  feverai  hundred  flrokcs  of  the 
baflinado  are  inflicted  upon  him  for  the  offence. 

When  the  Grand  Signior  approves  of  the  dey's 
conduct  he  fends  hitn  an  elegant  robe  called  a  Taf- 
tan  to  fignify  his  approbation  of  his  conduct  in  ad- 
miniftration.  A  prefent  of  this  nature  is  highly  ac 
ceptable,  becaufe  it  is  a  great  protection  to  his  per 
fon,  and  conciliates  the  minds  of  the  people  in  his 
favour. 

The  prefent  dey  is  about  50  years  old.  His  face 
Is  decorated  with  a  long  black  beard.  He  is  a  man 
of  a  venerable  afpeft  and  of  a  majeftic  perfon,  be 
ing  about  fix  feet  high,  but  rather  inclining  to  lean- 
fiefs.  He  fpeaks  in  a  very  imperious  and  authori 
tative  tone,  as  is  the  cafe  with  all  the  Turks.  He 
goes  bare  legged,  but  with  flippers  on  his  feet,  and 
cannot  be  diftinguifhed  by  his  drefs  from  the  reft 
of  the  Turks;  but  only  by  the  greater  veneration 
that  is  paid  him. 

When  he  walks  the  ftreets  of  Algiers  hlsltfleros 
go  before  him  with  clubs  in  their  hands  to  clear  the 
way,  and  as  he  approaches  every  perfon  flies  with 
precipitation  into  bye-ways;  for  if  any  one  comes 
within  the  reach  of  their  clubs  he  is  fure  to  be  knock 
ed  down  and  trampled  under  foot.  When  he  rides  out, 
even  upon  a  full  gallop,  thefe  lifberos  run  before 
him,  and  every  obftacle  mud  give  way  at  his 
approach* 

While  the  American  prifoners  were  in  Algiers 
the  dey  once  condefcended  to  vifit  the  marine, 
which  was  looked  upon  as  the  moil  fingular  event 
that  ever  occurred  ;  for  neither  the  dey,  the  caffan- 


*©S     DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS, 

aga,  nor  aga,  are  ever  known  to  pay  fuch  vifits.  As*j 
he  approached  the  fhore  the  cannon  of  the  caftles,^ 
and  on  the  wails  of  the  city  were  fired,  trumpets 
founded, ind  French  horns  played  from  the  marine. 
He  was  attended  by  all  the  rais  or  commanders  of 
veflels,  who  regarded  this  vifit  as  the  very  highest 
compliment.  He  gave  the  warden  bafhaw  a  con- 
fiderable  fum  of  money  to  be  diftributed  among  the 
Ilaves.  After  examining  the  marine  he  was  invited 
into  the  fkiff  of  the  vichelhadge,  where  he  fat 
down  with  his  attendants  and  after  drinking  a  diili 
of  coffee  retired  to  his  palace. 

The  dey  keeps  about  30  concubines  in  his  ferag- 
iio,  who  are  attended  by  black  enuchs,  but  the  wo 
men  are  never  feen  by  the  ilaves.  He  has  but  ons 
child,  a  daughter  about  feven  years  old,  who  is  the 
greateft  favorite  imaginable  with  the  dey.  She  was 
engaged  to  be  married  to  the  late  vichelhadge  of 
the  marine,  who  was  the  dey's  relation.  But  h? 
was  either  killed  or  drowned  in  his  voyage  to  the 
Levant,  where  the  dey  lent  him  with  a  large  fum 
of  money,  for  the  purpofe  of  building  a  fuperb. 
mofique  at  the  place  of  his  birth. 

From  th*  moil  authentic  accounts  it  appears  that 
many  of  the  people  of  Algiers^  and  the  kingdom  in 
general,  are  hofpitable,  humane,  and  of  ftrict  in 
tegrity.  A  Moor  when  he  finds  any  articles  that 
have  been  loft,  never  clandeftinely  appropriates 
them  to  his  own  ufe,  but  has  them  always  cried 
through  the  ftreets  that  the  owner  may  poflefs  his 
property  again.  But  in  conference  of  the  vio 
lence  that  is  exercifed  over  them,  and  their  total 
fubferviency  to  the  rapacious  views  of  their  Tur- 
kiih  oppreflbrs,  they  fupport  perhaps  the  moll:  in 
famous  charafter  of  any  nation  in  the  world.  Eve 
ry  fpark  of  political  liberty  is  totally  extinguished, 

and 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.      269 

the  government  has  now  attained  to  the  very 
acme  of  the  moft  horrible  defpotifm.  As  the 
Turks  maintain  their  afcendency  by  the  moft  ri 
gorous  meafures,  their  government  exhibits  a  per 
petual  fcene  of  jealoufy,  apprehenfion  and  op- 
preHfton  ;  no  man  can  promife  himfelf  a  moment's 
fecurity  either  in  his  perfon  or  property  ;  for  the 
power  of  life  and  death  is  vetted  in  the  hands  of 
the  dey,  which  he  exercifes  with  impunity  ;  and 
whenever  he  covets  the  riches  of  any  of  his  opu 
lent  fubjecls,  he  orders  them  to  be  diTpatched 
with  a  bow-ftring,  and  falls  heir  to  what  they 
pofleflTed.  When  the  order  of  execution  is  an 
nounced  to  any  one,  he  iubmits  patiently  to  his 
fate,  which  he  has  perhaps  Jong  anticipated,  and  as 
foon  as  the  order  is  executed  there  is  an  immediate 
fcramble  among  the  fervants  for  the  money,  jew 
els,  and  other  valuable  articles  which  belonged  to 
their  matter.  - 

According  to  the  common  computation,  the  num~  - 
ber  of  inhabitants  in  tjris  city  is  100,000  Mahome 
tans,    1500  Jews,  and   2000   Chriftian   flaves;  but 
no  cenfus  can  be  accurate  for  any  length  of  time, 
as  thoufands   are    carried   off  by  the   plague  ;   and 
the  number   of  flaves  is  ftill    more  fluctuating,  as- 
they  are  fubjeft  to   an  uncertain    increafe    by  cap 
ture,  and  a  diminution  by  raniom,  or  death  by  the 
feverity  of  their  toils. 

The  city  of  Algiers  is  vifited  almoft  every  year 
by  the  plague,  which  generally  begins  in  May, 
and  continues  for  the  fpace  of  three  months.  When 
it  commences  its  vifitation  no  perfon  is  at  liberty 
to  circulate  any  report  of  its  exigence,  or  his  life 
would  be  in  dinner;  but  when  the  contagion  becomes 
more  prevalent  one  of  the  marabouts  vifits  the  dey 

and 
S  2 


2io    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

and  informs  him  of  its  cxiflence  ;  after  which  the i 
citizens  are  at  liberty  to  take  every  precaution  for 
their  prefervation  ;  fome  retire  into  the  country, 
but  the  dey  and  mod  of  the  people  always  remain, 
in  the  city.  The  firft  flage  of  this  diforder  is  a 
violent  fever  which  brings  on  a  delirium,  but  if 
the  patient  can  furvive  this  fever  he  has  every  af- 
furance  of  his  recovery.  The  difeafe,  however, 
operates  differently  upon  different  conftitutions; 
forne  bleed  at  the  mouth,  nofe,  and  ears;  fome 
break  out  in  lived  fpots  all  over  their  bodies, 
and  many  continue  in  a  ilate  of  coma,  or  lethar 
gy,  till  they  expire,  which  is  generally  at  the 
v-nd  of  the  third  day  after  the  diforder  feizes  them. 
About  one  half  of  thofe  who  are  attacked  by 
this  diforder  recover,  but  they  are  notwithftanding 
always  liable  to,  though  not  fo  fufceptible  of  the  in 
fection  after  they  have  once  been  feized  with  if. 

A  moft  malignant  plague  raged  in  Algiers  about 
the  year  1787,  which  carried  off  i  mm  en  fe  num 
bers  of  the  inhabitants;  the  difeafe  was  fo  viru 
lent  that  the  ftreets  were  filled  with  dead  bodies, 
and  the  mortality  fo  great  that  a  fufficient  number 
of  perfons  could  (carcely  be  procured  to  bury  them* 
Slaves  are  very  frequently  feized  with  this  difor 
der  at  their  labour,  and  they  are  furFered  to  die 
upon  the  ground  without  any  affiilance,  and  with 
as  much  unconcern  as  if  they  were  beafts.  As  they 
have  neither  medical  books,  nor  men  of  learning,. 
it  muft  naturally  be  fuppofed  they  have  no  phyfi- 
cians.  When  a  pcrfon  is  feized  with  any  diforder 
the  only  mode  ©f  cure  is  to  rub  the  patient,  and  at 
th?  fame  time  to  place  his  body  in  a  variety  of  at 
titudes,  and  if  this  whimfical  treatment  does  not 
fuccecd,  nothing  farther  is  attempted. 

Ths 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.    212 

The  people  of  Algiers  eat  no  breakfaft,  but 
between  Cix  and  feven  o'clock  in  the  morning  they 
drink  coifee,  with  which  they  are  ferved  by  per- 
fons  called  coffeegees,  whofe  bufmefs  it  is  to  fup- 
ply  the  citizens  every  morning  with  this  article. 
It  is  drank  without  either  fngar  or  cream,  in  cups 
and  faucers  after  the  European  fafhion  ;  but  the 
more  opulent  citizens  ufe  faucets  of  gold  placed 
beneath  their  common  ones,  for  the  purpoie  of 
cooling  their  coifee.  They  dine  at  eleven,  and 
drink  coffee  again  at  four  in  the  afternoon*  In 
eating  they  are  feated  crofs-legged  on  mats  round 
tables  about  fix  inches  high,  and  they  ufe  neither 
knives  nor  forks.  Their  common  focd  is  muttcn, 
beef  or  poultry,  boiled  to  rags,  which  they  eat  with 
cuzcuz.  An  Algerine  never  fullers  his  wives  to« 
eat  with  him,  but  obliges  them  to  ferve  him  till 
he  has  finifhed  his  meal,  at  which  time  they  are 
permitted  to  fit  down  to  the  table.  The  Turks 
in  particular  are  very  tenacious  of  this  precedence, 
becaufe  they  regard  women  as  an  inferior  order  in 
creation,  and  coafequently  not  entitled  to  fimilar 
d  ill  i  notions- 

The  ufe  of  particular  meats  is  ftriclly  forbidden*, 
and  in  conformity  to  the  cuftom  of  the  eaflern  na 
tions  the  Alcoran  prohibits  the  ufe  of  Twine's  fiefb, 
"the  eating  of  blood,  and  whatever  dies  of  itfelf,  or  is 
ftrangled,  or  killed  by  a  blow,  or  fall,  or  by  any 
other  beaft.  In  which  particulars  Mahomet  feems 
to  have  adopted  the  laws  of  the  Jews,  by  which  all 
tbefe  thinga  are  forbidden.  But  he  permitted  feme 
things  to  be  eaten  which  Moles  did  not,  as  camels* 
flelh  in  particular;  and  upon  particular  emergencies, 
whe.i  people  are  in  danger  of  Aarving,  the  Maho- 
tan  law  fufFers  them  to  eat  any  kind  of  prohibited 
food*  The  Algerines  have  fuch  a  fingular  aver£on 

to 


sir   DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

to  hogs  that  they  will  fly  at  the  fight  of  o>ne  as  quick 
ly  as  from  the  mod  ferocious  wild  bead  ;  for  they 
deem  it  a  great  contamination  even  to  be  touched  by 
a  fwine,  and  a  hundred  well  difciplined  hogs  would 
take  Algiers  much  fooner  than  an  army  of  the  very 
braveft  Spaniards.  Many,  however,  among  the 
lefs  confcientious  Moors,  who  are  not  fo  apprehen- 
five  of  pollution,  bring  confrderable  quantities  of 
pork  to  market,  which  they  fell  at  a  very  moderate 
price  to.  the  Chriflian  ilaves,  who  derive  a  great  be 
nefit  from  this  cuftom  ;  for  a  full  grown  hog  is  fre 
quently  fold  for  lefs  than  a  fequin. 

The  people  have  fo  fmgular  an  attachment  to 
coffee,  or  the  ufe  of  it  is  fo  extreme ly  fafhionable,  that 
tradefmen  and  mechanics  while  they  fit  engaged  at 
their  bufinefs  along  the  platforms  in  front  of  their 
houfes,  have  their  difhes  of  coffee  before  them.  The 
Turks,  and  efpecially  thofe  who  are  too  confcien 
tious  to  make  ufe  of  fpiritous  liquors,  fpend  whole 
days  at  the  cofFee  houfes  in  frnoking  and  lipping 
coffee  :  and  as  they  devote  no  part  of  their  time  to 
reading  or  the  improvment  of  the  mind,  they  ap 
pear  entirely  divefted  of  all  reflection,  and  become 
the  mere  (laves  of  their  fenfual  appetites* 

The  ufe  of  coffee  firft  took  its  origin  at  Aden  in 
Arabia  Felix  about  the  year  1436  ;  from  whence  it 
was  gradually  introduced  into  Mecca,  Medina,  Syria, 
Europe  and  other  parts  of  'he  world.  It  has  been 
the  fubjecl  of  great  contention  and  diforders;  the 
ufe  of  it  has  been  often  profcribed,  and  as  often  de 
clared  lawful  and  allowed  :  but  at  prefent  it  is  uni- 
verfally  tolerated. 

The  drinking  of  wine,  under  which  name  is  com 
prehended  all  kinds  of  Orong  liquors,  is  forbidden  in 
the  Alcoran  in  more  places  than  one.  Some  have 
imagined  that  excefs  only  is  therein  forbidden,  and 

they 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS.     213 

they  allege  that  the  moderate  ufe  of  wine  is  allowed 
in  two  pafTages  of  the  Alcoran  ;  but  the  more  re 
ceived  opinion  is, that  the  ufe  of  ftrong  liqours  either 
in  a  greater  or  lefs  quantity  is  ablblutely  unlawfuf ; 
and  though  libertines  indulge  thernfeives  in  a  con 
trary  pra6Hce,  yet  the  more  confcientious,  and  efpo- 
cially  thofe  who  have  performed  a  pilgrimage  to 
Mecca,  are  fo  rigid  that  they  deem  it  unlawful  not 
only  to  talle  wine,  but  to  make  it,  or  to  maintain 
themfelves  by  the  purchafe  and  faie  of  that  liquor. 

They  are,  however,  extravagantly  fond  of  wine, 
and  if  one  afks  them  how  it  happens  that  they  ven 
ture  to  drink  it  when  it  is  fo  flrittly  forbidden,  they 
anfwer  that  it  is  with  them  as  with  the  Chriftians, 
whofe  religion  prohibits  drunkennefs,  and  who  de 
light  notwithftancJing  in  drinking  to  excefs.  The 
dey  was  formerly  much  addicted  to  this  przstlice, 
but  fince  he  has  been  in  admin  id  ration,  he  has  be 
come  very  exemplary  in  this  refpe6t,  and  it  is  dan 
gerous  for  any  of  his  vifitors  to  breath  the  fumes  of 
wine  in  his  prefence. 

It  has  been  a  queftion  whether  coffee  is  not  impH- 
edly  prohibited  by  the  Alcoran,  becaufe  it  has  an 
intoxicating  property  ;  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
former  prohibition  of  it  originated  from  thiscircum- 
ftance  alone- 

The  more  confcientious  reject  the  ufe  of  Tobacco, 
not  only  becaufe  it  intoxicates,  but  in  confequence 
of  a  traditional  faying  of  their  prophet,  which,  if 
it  were  really  his,  would  prove  him  a  prophet  in 
deed,  "  That  in  the  latter  days  there  fhould  be 
"  men  who  fhould  bear  the  name  of  Mufiulmen, 
'  but  fhould  not  be  really  fuch,  and  that  they 
"  Ihould  fmoke  a  certain  weed  which  fhould  be  cal- 
"  led  Tobacco" 


2-4     DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS, 

Opium,  though  not  mentioned  in  the  Alcoran,  isi 
efteemed  unlawful  by  the  more  rigid  Mahometan s ,1 
becaufe  it  intoxicates  in  a  more  extraordinary  man-1! 
ner. 

The  greateft  part  of  the  Turks,  however,  clinW 
gard  all  this  abttinence,  and  as  thefe  lords  of  th^ 
Algerines  are  fupported  at  the  public  expence, 
their  whole  life,  is  an  uninterrupted  feries  of  in 
trigue,  debauchery  and  intoxication :  foibles  na 
tural  to  all  thofe  who  have  no  other  purfuit  in  life 
to  engage  their  attention.  The  greateft  tyrants 
in  nature  are  drunken  Turkith  foldiers,  who  feem 
to  be  under  no  reftraint  either  of  law  or  confcience. 
Great  numbers  of  thefe  brutes,  after  having  in 
toxicated  themfelves,  iffue  forth  into  the  ftreets 
with  their  tahans,  or  fwords  drawn,  and  every  per- 
fbn  muft  fly  at  their  approach,  or  they  would  be 
in  danger  of  their  lives.  The  Jews  in  particular 
are  ever  the  objects  of  their  indignation,  and 
whenever  they  difcover  a  Jew  they  immediately 
purfue  him,  while  the  poor  defpifed  wretch  flies 
with  the  mod  hideous  outcries  to  avoid  the  outrage 
of  thefe  banditti,  who  are  at  liberty  to  commit  any 
aft  of  violence  upon  him,  with  impunity  ;  for 
fhould  a  Jew  make  application  for  redrefs  of  griev 
ances,  he  would  in  all  probability  be  baft  in  ad  ed 
for  his  prefuinption.  So  cordially  is  this  race  of 
people  defpifed,  that  when  one  wifhes  to  caft  any 
obloquy,  or  afperfion  of  ignominy  upon  another,  he 
calls  him  Judee  or~Jew;  and  even  herdfmen  in 
driving  their  cattle  will  call  them  Judto,  which 
is  the  moll  ignominious  term  of  reproach  that  can 
be  given. 

The  Turks  are  fo  proud  that,  like  the  American 
Indians;  they  deem  themfelves  fuperior  to  all  other 

nations 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     215 

nations  in  the  world,  and'  the  mo  ft  valiant  among, 
the  race  of  men.  They  imagine  that  the  world 
was  made  for  them  alone  ;  and  confequently  they 
entertain  a  perfe£\  contempt  for  all  other  nations  in 
general,  efpecially  thofe,  who  are  of  a  different  re 
ligion,  and  they  commonly  call  Chriflians,  dogs* 
Some  carry  this  fuperftitious  averfion  to  fo  great  an 
excels, that  if  the  firft  perfon  trjey  meet  in  the  morn 
ing,  when  they  come  out  of  their  houfes,  be  a 
Chriftian  or  Jew,  they  return  home  immediately, 
faying,  God  prtferve  its  from  the  devil. 

The  Turks  are,  as  is  the  cafe  with  many  other 
people,  mod  extravagantly  fond  of  money,  and 
they  have  long  been  proverbial  for  their  mercenary 
difpofuions.  The  confuls  of  foreign  nations  find 
that  the  Algerines  are  not  to  be  wrought  upon  by 
remonftrance  ;  they  expe$  fomething  more  fubftan- 
_tial,  and  more  is  to  be  gained  by  flattery,  and  an 
artful  addrefs,  than  by  the  mod  powerful  arguments: 
for  according  to  the  old  adage,  "  Give  a  Turk  mo- 
"  ney  with  one  hand,  and  he  will  let  you  pluck 
"  his  eyes  out  with  the  other."  This  was  remark 
ably  verified  in  the  cafe  of  a  Britifh  conful,  who 
once  made  application  to  Ali  Baibaw,  a  late  dey,and 
urged  a  complaint  againft  the  depredations  of  the 
Algerine  corfaus,  without  the  giand  preliminary, 
money.  The  dey  appeared  feme  what  reftlefs,and  pe 
tulantly  anfwered,  The  Algerines  are  a  fit  of  rogues 
and  I'm  their  captain  :  fo  that  national  juflicc  and 
honefty  are  great  rarities  here. 

To  complete  the  picture  of  human  depravity,  the 
Turks  are  guilty  of  the  mofl  unnatural  crime?, 
which  are  here  regarded  with  fuch  perfect  indif 
ference,  that  the  poorer  fort  of  people  lend  their 
children  into  the  flreets  to  feek  a  fubfiftcnce  by 

the 


4i6      DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

the  mod  nefarious  proftitution,  and  neither  pu-  v 
niihment  nor  the  leatt  (hade  of  ignominy  is  thej 
confequence  of  dete&ion.  A  Turk  will  figh  with] 
as  much  ardency  for  a  handfome  boy,  as  old  Vir-l' 
gil,  who  appears  to  have  been  a  lover  of  this  de- 
fcription,  lamented  the  iofs  of  the  beautiful  Alexis* 
Sodomy  is  fo  extremely  fafhionable  among  them, 
and  fo  little  are  they  difpofed  to  keep  this  foible  aj 
iecret,  that  it  is  the  fubjeft  of  their  mod  plain-^ 
tive  fongs,  and  they  will  fpare  no  pains  in  pro 
curing  the  gratification  of  their  infamous  love.  We 
are  told  of  a  Turk  who  being  difappointed  in  one  of 
his  ignominious  amours,  and  being  actuated  by  the 
moft  .iingular  impulfe,  commanded  his  flave  to 
place  a  red  hot  brand  of  fire  upon  his  naked  arm, 
which  he  fuffered  to  be  burnt  almoft  to  the  bone. 

It  was  cuftomary  with  former  deys  to  fend  an 
annual  tribute  of  a  number  of  beautiful  boys  to  the 
Grand  Signiors,  who  are  a  little  tinclured  with  this 
vice  ;  but  at  prefent  this  tribute  confifls  of  a  num 
ber  of  Arabian  horles.  We  are  credibly  informed, 
that  the  famous  admiral  Pinchinin,  kept  in  his 
houfe  forty  young  boys  between  nine  and  fifteen 
years  of  age,  who  were  never  fuffered  to  go  into  the 
ftreets,  left  they  might  be  feduced  by  the  Turks. 
Pinchinin  was  not,  however,  addicted  to  this  vice; 
but  what  difcovered  the  mofl  Angular  pride  in  hu 
man  nature,  was  that  he  kept  thefe  boys  meiely 
through  a  principle  of  vanity  and  cftentation. 
f  One  virtuous  trait  in  a  Turk's  character  is  that  he 
abftains  from  ail  profane  fwearing,  and  is  never  guil 
ty  of  fuch  blafphemous  imprecations  as  a  Ghriftianj 
The  American  {laves  were  muchsdd idled  to  tin's  vice, 
and  did  %*i  hefitate  to  reproach  their  Turkifh  over* 
fe&rs  with  the  mod  opprobrious  language  ;  io  that 

ftveral 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     217 

feveral  of  their  cverfeers  foon  learnt  to  fwear  in  En- 
giifh  as  well  as  the  Americans  themfelves. 

We  ought  not,  however,  to  be  too  precipitate  in 
applauding  them  for  any  fupericr  far;6Uty  in  this 
refpeet,  and  we  may  perhaps  impute  this  virtue  ra 
ther  to  the  genius  of  their  language,  than  to  the 
dictates  of  their  conference. 

Their  common  mode  of  fwearing  is  Judeo,  Jew, 
pero,  dog,  and  Jans  [uffttda;  a  dog  without  a  foul  ; 
which  laft  is  the  dey'slavonte  exclamation  in  fwear 
ing.  All  thefe  terms,  though  they  appear  to  be  not 
fo  blafphernous  as  either  thofe  of  the  French  or  En- 
glifh,  yet  they  are  no  doubt  equally  as  immoral  ;  for 
in  the  depravity  cf  their  difpofitions  they  are  not 
rivalled  by  any  nation  under  heaven. 

The  Algerines  never  iliake  hands  when  they 
meet,  but  the  ufual  mode  cf  falutation,  is  a  flight  in- 
inclination  of  the  head,  and  placing  both  hands 
upon  their  breads,  imploring  a  thoufand  bleilings, 
and  calling  thofe  whom  they  falute  brethren.  When 
relations  or  intimate  friends  meet  they  embrace  and 
-kifs  each  other's  ihouSders.  The  Turkim  good 
morrow,  is  Sala?n  maUicum  malhx  Jalama,  and  the 
Moorifti,  w&Jhtitict  wafliington,  or  wafhingturrta. 
The  great  men,  and  particularly  the  dey,  are  faluted 
witheffendi,  or  your  grace.  When  they  meet  a  per- 
ion  of  diflinction,  they  advance  towards  him  with 
out  bowing,  and  when  they,  are  within  reach,  they 
(loop  down,  and  taking  hold  of  the  corner  of  his 
garment,  lift  it  about  two  feet  high,  or  let  it  fall  ac 
cording  to  the  quality  of  the  perfon.  After  fpeak- 
ing  of  their  bufinefs,they  perform  the  fame  ceremony 
of^refpecl  a  fecond  time,  and  then  retire. 

The  Turks,  as  before  obferved,  Jgve  the  ex- 
cluGve  privilege  of  carrying  arms,  and  they  take 

great 
T 


218    DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

take  great  pains  to  preferve  them  as  bright  as  poffi- 
ble.  Their  inufkeis  are  mounted  with  filver  and 
the  heads  of  their  fwor^s  with  gold.  Thefe  Iwords 
they  call  tahans,  which  they  always  wear  in  public 
in  a  kind  of  fa  ill  or  girdle,  which  is  tied  round  their 
middle.  They  receive  -the  neceflary  Supplies  of 
ammunition  generally  once  a  month,  and.  the  dey 
•nfes  great  caution  in  the  tiiftribution  of  this  article. 
His  own  palace  is  converted  into  a  magazine, 
•where  all  the  lead  in  the  city  is  depofited  under 
his  own  immediate  direclion,  and  ierved  out  in 
fuch  portions  as  neceility  requires.  His  maga 
zines  of  powder  are  well  fccured  upon  the  mole, 
and  all  this  precaution  he  ufes  to  prevent  any  ef- 
feclnal  oppciition  in  cafe  of  an  infurreclion. 

The  Aigerines  read  no  other  books  but  the  Al 
coran,  and  the  comments  of  authors  who  have  writ 
ten  thereon  :  of  courfe  the  fphcre  of  their  know 
ledge  cannot  be  expected  to  be  very  extenfive. 
They  underftand  a  few  of  the  firft  principles  of 
arithmetic,  but  of  geometry,  poetry,  painting, 
nnd  the  fublimer  ftrains  of  mufic,  they  have  fcarcely 
any  conception.  All  their  books  are  manufcripts, 
and  there  is  not  a  prefs  in  all  the  city.  To  them 
.the  art  of  printing  appears  perfectly  contemptible  : 
they  repofe  no  kind  of  confidence  in  it,  and  it 
is  regarded  as  an  impofition  rather  than  a  benefit. 

Painting  is  fo  much  defpifed,  that  many  figures, 
fuch  as  men,  women,  beads,  &c.  are  prohibited, 
and  the  fight  of  them  is  regarded  as  a  great  fin. 
They  are,  however,  great  admirers  of  watches  and 
clocks  ;  but  if  they  fee  them  emhellifhed  with  any 
of  the fe  figures  they  cannot  refrain  from  exprefi- 
ing  their  anger.  They  have  a  fimilar  averfion 
to  bells,  and  they  are  fo  exafperated  at  the  found, 

that 


DK3CRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS.      219 

;t  the  crews  of  rmny  foreign  nations  lying  in 
their  harbour  have  cften  been  beaten  for  ringing 
their  bells. 

Gaming  is  prohibited  in  the  fame  paflages  of 
the  Alcoran  which  prohibit  the  ufe  of  wine.  The 
word,  as  it  is  there  ufed,  iignifies  a  particular  mode 
of  calling  lots  by  arrows  according  to  the  practice 
of  the  pagan  Arabs.  But  the  commentators  agree, 
that  under  the  name  of  lots  are  comprehended  all 
games  whatfoever  which  are  fubje£tto  chance  or  ha- 
'sard,  fuch  as  cards,  dice,-  tables,  &c.  which  are 
forbidden.  All  thefe  games  are  deemed  fo  highly 
flagitious  by  the  more  rigid  Mohometans,  that  they 
judge  the  evidence  of  him  who  plays  at  them  of  no 
validity  in  a  court  of  juftice. 

The  only  game  that  is  played  in  Algiers  is  chefs, 
and  this  the  Mahometan  doftors  allow,  (though  o- 
thers  have  doubled  its  legality)  becauic  it  de 
pends  folely  upon  art  and  the  fkilfui  manage 
ment  of  the  pieces  ufed  in  playing.  But  it  is 
only  allowed  under  certain  reftridtions  ;  for  it  is 
never  fuffered  to  prevent  the  regular  performance 
of  their  devotions,  and  perfons  are  never  permitted 
to  play  for  money, or  things  of  the  moft  trilling  va 
lue. 

In  Algiers  the  men  have  no  intercourie  with  the 
women  before  marriage,  and  marriage  contra6ts  are 
entirely  negociated  by  female  confidants  employed 
by  the  men,  who  tender  the  parents  a  certain  fum  of 
money  according  to  their  demand,  and  the  lady  is 
thus  purchafed  as  though  fhe  were  an  article  of  mer 
chandize.  Hence  it  fcldom  happens  that  marriages 
thus  contra6led  are  cemented  with  love,  and  by  thus 
violating  the  law  of  nature,  they  lay  a  fure  foun 
dation  for  intrigue,  jealoufy,  and  the  moft  boifterous 
paffions.  When  the  marriage  contract  is  conclud- 


220     DESCR3  PTIO  N    OF   ALGIERS, 

ed,  the  principal  nuptial  ceremony  confifi  In  efcort« 
iog  the  lady  to  her  .hufband.  A  proceffion  of  her 
female  friends  and  relations  is  formed  about  tea 
o'clock  at  night,  attended  by  a  number  of  black  fe 
male  ilaves  with  burning  torches  in  their  ha*nds,  and 
as  this  proceffion  moves  along  they  make  a  flrange 
kind  of  noife  at  intervals  till  they  enter  the  houfe 
of  the  hufband,  who  for  the  fir  ft  time  beholds  his 
fair  bride,  whom  his  imagination  had  long  perhaps, 
portrayed  as  the  paragon  of  all  excellence.  The 
company  then  retires,  and  the  next  day  the  marks 
or  virginity  are  triumphantly  difplayed  upon  the 
tops  of  their  houfes,  in  the  prefence  of  the  bride's 
friends  and  relations  ;  if  this  evidence  of  virtue  can 
not  be  produced,  the  hufband  returns  his  wife  to  her 
parents,  and  the  marriage  is  diilolved  without  fur 
ther  ceremony. 

The  A'gerine  women  are  remarkably  amorous, 
and  though  all  intercourse  between  them  and 
the  Chriftians  is  prohibited  under  penalty  of 
death,  yet  it  does  not  deter  them  from  their  at 
tempts,  to  circumvent  every  Chriftian  Have  who 
comes  in  their  way,  for  whom  they  have  a  remark 
able  attachment.  Numbers  of  thefe  frail  fair  ones 
rove  the  flreets  every  night  for  the  purpofe  of  in 
trigue,  and  they  make  the  frrft  advances  with  great 
effrontery  and  adroitnefs ;  but  fuch  is  the  vigi 
lance  of  the  lilbsros,  who  arc  highly  rewarded  for 
every  Chriftian  that  is  dete&ecl,  that  thofe  who 
are  venturefome  enough  to  undertake  an  amorous 
correfpondence,  are  every  moment  in  imminent 
danger  of  falling  a  facrifice  to  their  gallantry. 

Some  of  the  former  deys  had  it  in  contemplation 
to  incorporate  ill*   Haves  with  the    citizens,  and  to 
permit  their  intermarriages,  but  the  marabouts,  who 
were  apprehenfrve  that  fuch   a    law  would  contami 
nate 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      221 

nate  the  purity  of  Mahometan  blood,  remonfhated 
fo  ftrongly  againft  it,  that  all  intercourfe  between 
Chriftian  Haves  and  Moorifh  women  was  n-iade  a  ca 
pital  crime. 

Tht  women  lead  a  mod  indolent  life  ;  they  com 
monly  amufe  themfelves  with  needle  work  or  ern- 
broidery  ;  but  are  never  fubjecled  to  derneftic 
drudgery,  which  is  done  by  flaves,  and  whatever 
their  condition  maybe,  they  are  never  engaged  in 
any  employment  out  of  their  houfes. 

In  their  drefs  they  difplay  neither  tafte  nor  judg 
ment,  and  to  an  American  or  European  they  appear 
extremely  uncouth.  When  they  vifit  or  appear 
abroad  the  beauty  of  their  perfons  is  entirely  con 
cealed.  They  wear  a  clumfy  kind  of  panta 
loons,  and  according  to  the  phrafe  of  the  Ameri 
can  captives,  they  refemble  a  bundle  of  rags  in  mo 
tion,  rather  than  women.  Like  the  French  ladles 
they  are  very  fond  of  rouge  ;  but  in/lead  of  their 
cheeks  they  have  a  fingular  fancy  in  painting  their 
foreheads  with  a  ftripe  of  red,  which  extends  above 
their  eye  brows. 

Their  difhabille,  or  rather  the  manner  in  which 
they  drefs  in  their  houfes,  is  very  lafcivious,  They 
wear  a  cap  formed  of  threads  of  gold  interwoven 
like  net  work,  round  which  is  tied  a  fine  (ilk  hand 
kerchief,  and  their  hair  hangs  confined  in  a  fmall 
filken  pouch.  Their  breads,  arms,  and  legs  are 
naked,  but  the  reft  of  their  body  is  covered  with  a 
large  (ilk  mantle,  which  only  reaches  down  to  the 
knees, and  is  tied  about  their  middle  with  a  kind  of 
fafh.  Their  flippers  are  elegantiy  wrought  with 
gold  ;  and  round  their  wrifts  and  ancles  they  wear 
bracelets  fet  with  jewels.  They  ride  concealed  in 
a  large  fquare  box  covered  with  a  kind  of  red  baize, 

placed 
T  3 


222      DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS 

placed   upon  aftes  or  mules,  and  when  they  walk! 
the  ftreets  they  are  always  veiled.They  are  extremely  1 
cautious  of  difcovering  their  faces  to  (Grangers,  par-  " 
ticularly  to  Chriftian  ilaves,  which  they  deem  fo  fa-q 
cred  that  they  would  fooner  difclofe  any  other  part  . 
of  their  body.     An    American  Have   was   ordered  I 
one  day  by  a  Turk,  to  carry   fome  bottles  of  wine  | 
from  one   of  the  bagnios  to  his  houfe,  and  in   paf-*? 
fing  through  one  cf  the  apartments  he  furprized  the 
Turk's   lady,    whofe   face  was  perfectly  unveiled • 
The  difconcerted  fair  one,  overcome  with  aftonifh- 
ment  at  the  fudden  and  unexpected  appearance  of  a 
flave,  immediately  covered  her  face  with  her  petiy- 
coats*   and  in  fo  doing  difclofed  thofe   parts  which 
were  much  more  thecbjecl  of  theAmerican^srifibiiity. 

There  is  not  much  difference,  as  we  have  before 
obferved,  between  the  drefs  of  the  men  and  women. 
The  men  wear  a  kind  of  clumfy  trowfers  which 
reach  down  to  the  knees,  fornewhat  refembling  the 
Roman  habit.  Their  legs  and  arms  are  bear  ;  but 
in  cold  or  wet  weather  they  wear  capoots*  a  kind  of 
greatcoats  which  nearly  cover  the  whole  body. 

The  drefs  of  the  marabouts  is  a  kind  of  green 
coat,  or  gown  which  reaches  down  to  the  knees. 
The  hats  of  fome  of  them,  or  rather  the  covering 
of  their  heads,  refembles  a  large  dim  formed  of 
linen  drawn  over  a  piece  of  circular  pafleboard  : 
others  wear  a  high  cap  fomewhat  in  the  form  of  a 
fugar-loaf  with  a  frnall  part  of  the  top  cut  cfF.  Some 
of  the  marabouts  are  fo  highly  venerated  by  the 
Moors,  that  they  run  and  kifs  their  hands  as  they 
pals  along  the  flreets.  The  dey  is  confidered  as 
the  grsnd  or  fupreme  marabout  of  his  kingdom. 

The  drefs  of  the  Jews  does  not  differ  much  from 
that  of  the  Turks,  and  the  manner  in  which  they 

are 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      223 

are  principally  diflinguifhed,  confifts  in  the  differ 
ence  of  colour,  which  is  black,  a  diftin&ion  they 
are  obliged  to  obferve.  There  is  alib  a  difference 
in  the  form  of  their  turbans,  and  their  flippers 
which  have  fuch  a  fmall  portion  of  upper  leather, 
that  they  can  fcarcely  keep  them  on  their  feet  ;  for 
they  are  not  fuffered  to  wear  fhoes  without  paying 
an  exorbitant  duty  to  the  dey  for  the  privilege. 

They  have  few  funeral  ceremonies,  and  they  ne 
ver  change  their  drefs  when  any  of  their  relations 
,  die.  They  vvafh  the  dead  with  great  care,  and  burn 
incenfe  about  them  to  drive  away  evil  fpirits.  They 
have  no  coffins,  but  bury  them  in  a  cloth  open  at  top 
and  bottom.  Before  the  interment  they  expofe 
their  dead  in  the  houfe,  upon  a  bier,  under  a  pall  of 
different  colours  fringed  with  gold  according  to  the 
quality  of  the  perfon.  The  place  of  interment  is 
without  the,  walls  of  the  town,  and  the  corps  is  at 
tended  thitlrer  by  four,  or  fometimes  eight  carriers- 
No  women  ever  attend  their  funerals,  but  a  few 
d'ays  after,  the  female  relations  viiit  the  grave,  over 
which  they  weep  and  ftrew  wreaths  of  flowers. 

The  Algerines  believe  that  when  the  deceafcd 
is  laid  in  the  ground,  two  angels  come,  and  make 
him  get  upon  his  knees  to  render  an  account  of  his 
actions.  If  he  has  lived  a  virtuous  life,  two  an 
gels  as  white  as  fnow,  fucceed  thofe  who  carne  to 
examine  him,  and  entertain  him  with  a  full  account 
©f  the  pleafures  he  is  to  enjoy  in  the  next  world, 
But  if  he  has  lived  a  vicious  life,  two  angels  as 
black  as  jet  are  commiflior.ed  to  inflict  the  moil  cru 
el  tortures  upon  him.  One,  they  fay,  ftrikes  hira 
into  the  earth  with  a  club,  and  the  other  pulls  him 
up  again  with  an  iron  hock  ;  and  thus  they  employ 

the  ml  elves 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

themfelves  in  the  infliction  of  this  cruel  punifhrnenr,  | 
without  the  lead  refpite  till  the  day  of  judgment. 

In  religion  it  feems  that  rigorous  reftrictions  are  I 
no  criterion  to  judge  of  the  political   integrity  of  a  I 

nation;   for  though  the  x^Jgerines  are  as  punctilious  \j 
.00  * 

in  their  religious  fervices  as  any  people  whatever,  I 
yet  they  fupport  the  mcft  infamous  national  cbarac-  j 
ter  upon  earth.  They  worfhip  no  lefs  than  five  times  ' 
in  the  twenty-four  hours;  once  jufl  before  day-break, 
again  at  one  o'clock,  and  at  the  time  of  lazar in  the 
afternoon,  and  about  one  o'clock  at  night.  Juft  be 
fore  their  worihip  commences  in  the  day,  a  frnall 
white  flag  is  raifed  on  all  the  mofques,  as  a  fignal  for 
preparation  ;  the  marabouts  foon  after  afcend  the 
cupola  of  the  mofques,  and  turning  their  face  to  the 
eaft  and  raifing  their  hands  to  their  heads,  cry  out 
with  a  loud  voice  ;  upon  which  the  male  inhabi 
tants  wa(h  their  hands,  face,  and  feet,#and  repair 
to  the  mofques,  where  they  arrange  themfelves  in 
files,  with  their  face  turned  towards  the  eafh  None 
of  their  mofques  have  pews,  but  they  are  paved 
with  marble.  Before  each  perfon  is  placed  a  ftraw 
mat,  upon  which  he  kneel?.  After  a  (hort  paufe  of 
filence,  during  which  their  lips  are  in  continual  mo 
tion,  they  all  raife  their  hands  to  their  heads,  then 
place  them  on  their  knees,  kneel  down  on  their 
mats,  arid  all  proftrate  their  heads  upon  the  floor  at 
the  fame  inftant,  from  which  they  immediately  rife 
again  into  an  creel  poilure.  By  continual  practice 
they  perform  thefe  evolutions  with  the  greateft  pre- 
cifion  imaginable,  and  all  their  motions  correfpond 
more  perfeclly  in  point  of  time  than  the  exercife  of 
the  beft  disciplined  troops.  This  ceremony  conti 
nues  about  fifteen  minutes,  after  which  the  worftiip- 
pers  retire  to  their  bufinefs. 

The 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     225 

A  fimilar  ceremony  is  obferved  every  day  in  the 
marine.  The  marabout  who  officiates  there  cries  out 
from  the  top  of  one  of  the  caftles  on  the  rnole,  which 
is  the  fignal  for  diving,  as  the  Americans  facetioufly 
termed  it-  The  marabouts  have  nothing  to  do  ia 
this  part  of  religious  duty  ;  but  they  deliver  a  dif- 
courfe  every  Friday  in  the  mofques,  from  a  lund 
of  roftrum  or  pulpit.  This  difcourfe,  and  their  other 
religious  ceremonies,  continue  on  that  day  from 
eleven  till  one  o'clock,  during  which  time  the  gates 
of  the  city  and  the  doors  of  the  bagnios  are  IriuU 
The  people  do  not  attend  public  worfhip  at  night, 
but  as  fooa  as  they  hear  the  voice  of  the  marabout, 
they  rife  up  and  perform  their  exercife  of  devotion 
in  their  own  apartments.  All  the  Mahometans  who 
refide  near  the  city,  immediately  proflrate  them- 
felves  as  loon  as  they  fee  the  flags  raifed  on  the 
mofques;  and  befides  all  this  religious  fervitude  tbcic 
very  righteous  people  daily  employ  themfelves,  like 
the  illiterate  among  the  Roman  Catholics,  in  count 
ing  over  their  firings  of  beads. 

The  dey  only  attends  public  worfhip  on  Fridays, 
at  a  mofque  nearly  oppofite  to  his  palace,  where  the 
principal  Turks  affemble,  and  he  paffes  between 
two  files  of  his  Turkilh  guards,  who  are  (lationed 
between  the  door  of  his  palace  and  that  of  the 
mofque* 

After  performing  the  exercife  of  humility,  and 
hearing  a  difcourfe  from  the  marabout,  he  retires  to 
his  palace  where,  as  he  enters,  he  is  fprinkled  with 
holy  water  of  a  fragrant  fme  11. 

Every  Friday  is  devoted  to  public  worfliip,  and 
correfponds  to  the  Jewilh  Saturday,  or  ChrifUan 
Sunday.  Many  reafons  are  given  why  this  da v 
was  appointed  for  this  purpofe.  Some  areofopi^ 
nlon  that  it  was  the  day  on  which  God  rimmed 

the 


226     DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS, 


th-t 


the  works  of  creation  ;  bat  Mr.  Sale  remarks 
Mahomet  teams  to  have  preferred  that  day  princi 
pally  becaufe  it  was  the  day  on  which  the  people 
were  accuftomed  to  aflfernble  long  before  his  time  : 
though  fuch  affeiTiblies  were  perhaps  intended 
for  civil  rather  than  religious  purpofes.  Though 
the  Mahometans  in  general  do 'not  conceive  them- 
felves  obligated  to  keep  that  day  fo  holy  as  the  Jews 
and  Chriftians  are  bound  to  keep  their  Sabbath, 
(there  being  'permiEion  in  the  Alcoran,  as  is  gene 
rally  fuppoled  *,  that  that  they  may  return  to 
their  p^ratoyments  or  diverfions  after  divine  fcr- 
vice  is  enJeci,)  yet  the  more  devout  disapprove  of 
the  pr^flice  of  applying  any  part  of  that  day  to 
worldly  concerns,  and  require  it  to  be  wholly 
dedicated  to  the  purpofes  of  religion-  The  flaves 
are  neither  exempted  from  labour  upon  this,  nor  any 
other  day- of  the  week  ;  but  they  are  generally  al 
lowed  one  Friday  in  every  month  for  the  purpofe 
of  reft  or  recreation. 

All  thefe  religious  reftriciions  are,  however,  in- 
fufficient,  and  once  every  year  they  are  fubjecled 
to  a  rigorous  abltinence  called  Ramadan,  or  Ra- 
mazan,  which  generally  begins  in  May,  and  conti 
nues  from  the  time  the  new  moon  iiril  appears  till 
the  appearance  of  the  next  new  moon,  during  which 
time  they  refrain  from  women,  and  neither  eat, 
clriiik,  fnuff,  nor  fmoke  tobacco,  from  day -break 
till  fun-fet.  The  pur,£tilious  obfervance  of  this 
duty  is  enjoined  under  penalty  of  death,  and  thofe 
who  are  detected  in  indulging  their  appetites,  fomc 
fay,  are  compelled  to  drink  melted  lead  as  a  pu- 
nifhment  for  their  crime.  About  fun-fet  the  flag 


CJiapo.62. 


DESCPvIPTION    OF    ALGIERS.     227 

of  the  marabout  rifes,  as  a  fignal  for  eating,  which 
is  looked  for  with  great  anxiety  ;  after  which  they 
are  at  liberty  to  gratify  their  appetites  as  they 
plcafe,  During  the  time  of  Ramadan  an  univerfal 
niorofcnefs  prevails  among  the  people,  and  the  dey, 
who  finds  it  neceffary  to  conform  to  tins  cufiom,  is 
fo  much  out  of  humour,  that  no  bufinefs  can  be 
tranfacled  with  him  during  the  continuance  of  this 
fad:.  The  Turks  experience  the  greateft  mortifi 
cation,  becaufe  they  are  abridged  of  all  the  plea- 
fures  their  fcnfual  natures  are  capable  of  enjoying; 
they  are  neither  permitted  to  frequent  the  bagnios, 
taverns,  nor  cofFee-hcufes,  and  they  wait  for  the 
termination  of  this  faft  with  the  greateft  impatience. 
^Towards  the  expiration  of  the  month  the  Turks 
afcend  their  cazarees  every  evening,  and  look  with 
longing  eyes  towards  the  weft  for  the  difcovery  of 
the  new  moon,  which  is  called  the  moon  of  Cheu- 
val ;  for  at  the  moment  of  its  appearance  the  faft 
is  at  an  end  :  the  Turks  then  indulge  the  moft  ex 
travagant  mirth  ;  they  fire  a  feu  de  joye  to  congra 
tulate  its  appearance,  and  to  proclaim  the  end  of 
the  faft. 

This  faft,  which  is  the  third  point  of  religious 
praclice,  is  a  duty  of  fo  much  importance,  that  Ma- 
liomet  ufed  to  fay,  It  was  the  gate  of  religion,  and 
that  the  odour  of  the  mouth  of  him  who  jajhth  is 
more  grateful  to  God  than  that  of  rnufk» 

According  to  the  Mahometan  divines  there  arc 
three  degrees  of  fading  ;  ift.The  reftraining  the  belly 
and  other  parts  of  the  body  from  fatisfying  their  luft. 
2d.  The  reftraining  the  ears,  eyes,  tongue,  hands, 
feet,  and  others  members  from  fin.  3d.  The  fatt 
ing  of  the  heart  from  all  worldly  cares,  and  re 
fraining  the  thoughts  from  every  thing  befides 
God.  The  Mahometans  are  obliged,  by  exprefs 

command 


228      DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS. 

command  of  the  Alcoran,  to  fad  the  whole  month 
of  Ramadan,  and  in  confequence  of  this  abdemious 
feveriiy,  which  is  a  real  fin  againd  the  law  of  na 
ture,  an  univerfal  gloom  overwhelms  the  minds  of 
the  people  ;  they  are  extremely  vengeful,  and  more 
murders  and  affafFmations  happen  then  than  at  any 
other  time.  The  (laves  are  not  compelled  to  con 
form  to  any  of  their  religious  ceremonies  or  re- 
ftri61ions  ;  but  during  the  time  of  Ramadan  they 
are  fubjecled  to  the  infliclien  of  the  fevered  pu- 
nifhments  :  for  fuch  abdinence  has  a  tendency  to 
excite  the  mod  boiderous  pailions  of  the  human 
breaft. 

This  fad  is  fucceeded  by  a  Bairam  or  fedival, 
called  the  fead  of  the  breaking  of  the  fad,  which 
continues  for  three  days,  during  which  time  the 
half  darved  Turks  riot  in  the  oppofite  extreme  of 
intemperance.  They  hold  a  kind  of  fair  out  of 
town,  where  they  divert  themfelves  with  drink 
ing,  feading,  mufic,  bonfires,  wredling,  fwing- 
ing,  and  feats  of  horfemanfhip.  1  he  colours  of 
all  nations  are  difplayed  in  the  marine,  and  during 
this  fedival  the  flaves  are  exempted  from  labour. 

But  their  greated  fedival  is  on  the  fifth  of  Sep- 
temberj  the  day  of  the  nativity  of  their  prophet, 
which  is  celebrated  with  great  fblemnity.  All  the 
fchoolmaders  in  the  city,  with  their  fchojars,  af- 
femble  at  the  chief  mofque,  from  which  they  form 
a  proceffien  through  the  dreets,  each  carrying 
a  burning  torch  in  his  hand,  and  fingingan  eulo 
gy  in  praife  of  their  great  prophet.  Two  of  the 
maders  carry  on  their  ihouiders  a  fuperb  pyramid 
ornamented  with  wreathes  of  flowers,  and  a  crofs 
on  the  top  of  it,  and  followed  by  a  band  of  vocal 
and  indrumental  mufic  after  the  Turkifh  manner. 
All  the  houfes  at  the  corners  of  the  dreets  are  hung 

with 


DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS.      229 

ivith  tapeilry  and  burning  lamps.  The  cooks  of  the 
divan  to  the  number  of  200  alib  forrr*  a  procedion, 
pach  carrying-a  clean  napkin  or  towel  on  his  (boul 
der  and  a  torch  in  bis  band.  They  parade  the 
flreets  two  by  two,  from  feven  till  eleven  o'clock 
in  the  day,  and  the  ceremony  ends  with  a  hymn 
in  praife  of  their  prophet,  performed  with  inflru- 
ments  of  roufic  before  the  doors  of  force  of  their 
great  men.  About  midnight  torches  are  kept 
burning  in  every  houfe,  becaufe  Mahomet  was 
born  at  that  hour.  This  feaft  continues  for  eight 
-days,  during  which  time  any  perfon  is  at  liberty  to 
walk  the  llrcets  at  night  without  a  lighted  torch, 
which  they  cannot  do  at  other  times  without  incur 
ring  the  penalty  of  corporal  punifbrocnt. 

There  is  a  ilngular  cuftom  eflablifhed  here,  of  a 
religious  nature,  for  the  rerniffion  of  the  puniih- 
rnent  of  offenders  who  fly  to  the  mofques  for  pro- 
teclion,  which  is  called  taking  the  marabout,  and 
thefe  places  are  an  afylum  for  every  defcription  of 
criminals,  In  the  front  of  every  mofque  there  is 
Tufpended  a  long  chain,  which  the  criminal  feizes ; 
whereupon  he  is  generally  taken  into  the  fan£Ujary 
and  covered  with  the  marabout's  colours,  from  whence 
he  is  not  fufFered  to  be  taken  till  his  pardon  isgran- 
ted.  One  of  thefe  chains  is  fufpended  in  front  of 
the  dey's  palace,  'who  fc  metimes  pardons  offenders 
who  fly  thither  for  refuge,  and  another  is  fuf 
pended  at  the  cazarees  of  the  Turks,  where  crimi 
nals  are  more  inviolably  protecled. 

A  quarrel  took  place  not  long  flnce  between 
two  lads  about  twelve  years  of  age,  tbe  one  a  Turk 
and  the  other  a  Mocr,  ?.<:>  they  were  paffing  from 
the  marine  to  the  cjl)  "  hen  they  came  oppofite  to 
the  cazarees,  the  yot  Turk,  taking  the  advan 
tage 
U 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS. 

tage  of  the  Moorifa  lad,  ran  up  to  him   with  his' 
drawn  tahan,  and  gave  him  a  wound    through   the  \ 
back,  of  which  he  inftantly  expired,  and  immedi-  * 
ately  fled  for  refuge  to  the  cazarees,  where  he   was 
protected,  till   the  friends  of  the  Turkifh  lad  pro 
cured    his  pardon  by  paying  the  parents  of  the  de- 
ceafed  a  fum  of  money  as  a  ccmpenfation  for  their 
lofs. 

It  is  a  vulgar  opinion  among  the  AJgennes,and  the 
Mahometans  in  general,  that  women  have  no  fouls; 
or  if  they  have,  that  they  die  like  thofe  of  the  brutes, 
and  will  receive  no  reward  in  the  next  life.  This 
is  probably  the  reafon  why  they  are  never  fuffered 
to  go  upon  a  pilgrimage,  or  to  attend  public  wor- 
fhip  itl  their  moiques.  But  whatever  may  be  the 
vulgar  belief,  it  is  evident  that  Mahomet  had  too 
great  a  refpeft  for  the  fair  fex,  to  inculcate  fuch  a 
do6lrine  ;  for  there  are  ieveral  pafTages  in  the  Alco- 
<:oran,  which  exprelly  affirm  that  women  in  the 
next  life  will  not  only  be  punifhed  for  their  evil 
deeds,  but  will  be  rewarded  for  their  virtues  as 
well  as  men,  and  that  in  this  re/pedt  God  will  make 
DO  diilinCtion  of  fexes. 

It  is  true  that  the  general  notion  is,  that  they  will 
not  be  admitted  into  the  fame  abode  with  the  men, 
becaufe  their  places  will  be  fupplied  by  paradifiacal 
females,  but  that  a  feparate  place  of  happinefs  will 
be  affigned  to  good  women,  where  they  will  enjoy 
every  delight  in  its  fulled  extent:  yet  fome  allege 
that  a  man  will  have  thofe  who  were  his  wives  in 
this  world,  or  at  lea  ft  fuch  of  them  as  he  fhall  deiire. 
One  circumftance  with  which  Mahomet  acquainted 
ii is  followers,  ought  to  corroborate  their  belief  of 
ihe  future  exigence  of  the  female  foul.  An  old 
%1'oman  de fired  him  to  intercede  with  God  for  her 

admiffion 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS.     231 

atlmiffion  into  paradife  ;  but  Mahomet  told  her  that 
ro  old  women  would  ever  enter  that  place  ;  upon 
which  the  old  woman  began  to  weep  immoderately, 
and  Mahomet  explained  himfelf  by  affuring  her> 
that  God  would  make  her  young  again. 

The  Alcoran  certainly  eftablifhes  a  different  be 
lief  in  the  following  words:  "  Verily  the  MollenVs 
"  (or  Muffulmen)  of  either  fex,ancTthe  true  believ- 
"  eis  of  either  fex  ;  and  the  devout  men,  and  the 
"  devout  women  ;  and  the  men  of  veracity  and  the 
€t  women  of  veracity  ;  and  the  patient  men  and  the 
"  patient  women ;  and  the  humble  men  and  the  hum- 
"  ble  women  ;  and  the  alms-givers  of  either  fex  ; 
"  and  the  men  who  faftand  the  women  who  faft  ;  and 
"  the  chafte  men  and  the  chafte  women  ;  and  thofe 
"  of  either  fex  who  remember  God  frequently  ;  for 
"  them  God  has  prepared  forgivenefs  and  a  great 
"  reward*.*' 

Great  numbers  of  the  citizens  of  Algiers  perform 
a  journey  to  Mecca  every  year,  and  many  veffels 
are  employed  in  tranfporting  them  to  this  holy  city 
for  the  purpofe  of  manufacturing  them  into  faints. 
This  pilgrimage  is  io  necetTary  a  point  in  practical 
religion,  that  according  to  a  tradition  of  Mahomet, 
he  who  dies  without  performing  it  may  35  well  die 
a  Jew  or  Chriftian.  It  is  deemed  a  duty  particu- 
cularly  incumbent,  and  the  Alcoran  exprefsly  en 
joins  it  upon  all  thofe  who  are  of  fufficient  abi 
lity  to  perform  the  journey  f« 

Mr.  Tournefort  tells  us,  that  the  four  places 
of  rendezvous  for  pilgrims,  are  Damas,  Cairo,  Ba 
bylon,  and  Zebir.  At  thefe  places  they  drefs 

thernfelvcs 

*  Chap.  XXXIII.  entitled  The  Confederates. 
t  Chap.  HI.  pag.  48. 


232     DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS. 

themfelves  in  the  facred  habit,  which  confifts  of 
two  woolen  wrappers,  one  about  the  middle  to  co 
ver  their  nakednefs,  and  the  other  thrown  over 
their  moulders  ;  and  in  this  drefs  they  enter  the 
facred  territory.  While  they  are  thus  accoutred 
they  are  neither  fuffered  to  hunt  nor  to  fowl,  (though 
they  may  fi{h)  and  this  precept  is  pun&iliouily 
obferved. 

During  his  pilgrimage  a  man  muft  keep  a  con- 
ftant  guard  overall  his  word  and  actions  ;  he  mud 
avoid  all  quarrelling  and  abusive  language  ;  he  inuft 
refrain  from  all  obfcene  difcourfe  and  fexual  com 
merce,  and  confine  his  whole  attention  to  the  pious 
work  in  which  he  is  engaged.  All  the  caravans 
which  come  from  different  parts  of  the  Mahometan 
dominions,  concert  their  meafures  in  fuch  a  man 
ner  that  they  arrive  the  fame  day  at  the  hill  Ara~ 
Jagd,  which  is  about  a  day's  journey  from  Mecca : 
on  this  celebrated  hill  they  imagine  that  the  angel 
firft  appeared  to  their  prophet,  and  in  confequence 
the  Mahometans  have  founded  one  of  their  princi 
pal  f.inftuaries  on  this  fpot. 

After  having  killed  and  diflributed  feme  flieep  a- 
mong  the  poor  they  proceed  to  Mecca,  and  from 
thence  to  Medina  to  vi(it  the  tomb  of  their  prophet, 
which  is  covered  with  a  magnificent  pall,  annually 
fent  thither  by  order  of  the  Grand  Signior,  which 
pall  is  every  year  cat  away  by  the  pilgrims,  who 
efteem  the  frnalleft  piece,  of  it  as  the  rnoft  invaluable 
relic.  The  Grand  Signior  alfo  fends  500  fequins, 
an  Alcoran  covered  with  gold,  feveral  rich  carpets, 
and  a  great  many  pieces  of  black  cloth  for  hangings, 
as  prefents  to  the  mofques  at  Mecca.  The  nob  left 
camel  that  can  be  found  is  chofen  to  carry  this  Al 
coran,  and  at  his  return  he  is  hung  with  garlands 

of 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     233 

of  flowers,  loaded  with  benedi£tions,  fumptuoufly 
fed,  and  exempted  from  labour  all  u.e  reft  of  his 
life. 

The  pilgrims  who  have  performed  the  tour  of 
Mecca  are  held  in  great  veneration  the  remainder  of 
their  lives;  are  abfolved  from  every  fin,  and  may 
commit  new  crimes  with  impunity*  Mr.  Tournefort 
fays,  according  to  the  Mahometan  law  they  cannot 
be  put  to  death  ;  but  are  reputed  incorruptible,  irre 
proachable,  and  fanftified  from  this  world.  It  is 
reported  of  forne  of  the  Indians,  continues  he,  that 
they  put  out  their  eyes  after  they  have  feen  what 
they  call  the  holy  places  of  Mecca,  pretending  that 
after  fuch  a  fight  their  eyes  ought  not  to  be  polluted 
by  the  fight  of  worldly  things. 


CHAP, 


234     DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS. 

CHAP.     IV. 

Thf  Slaves  of  Algiers. 


WHATEVER  fpeculative  maniacs  or  merce 
nary  enthufiafts  may  allege  in  favour  of 
flavery,  it  is  obvioufly  repugnant  to  the  impre- 
fcriptible  rights  of  human  nature,  and  an  incon- 
teftible  evidence  of  the  remains  of  barbarifm  in 
thofe  nations  who  fan&ion  fo  diabolical  a  principle.  , 

There  appear  to  be  three  ftagesin  the  progrefs  of 
mankind  from  favage  rudenefs  to  a  Hate  of  true  re 
finement.     Firit,  a   ftate   of  canibalifm,  in   which 
any   tribe    or  nation    of  men    deal     indifcriminate 
death  and  deftru&ion  among  the  reft  of  their   fel 
low  creatures  ;    fecond,  a  ftate  of  oppreflion,    in 
which,  though   they  are  exempted  from  the  fangs 
of  favage  rapacity,  yet  they  are  compelled  to  fub- 
mit  to  the  lofs  of  their  liberties  ;  third,  the  eman 
cipation  of  mankind,  when  the  more  general^diffu- 
fion  of  fciencewill  teach  them  the  true  principles 
of  juftice  and    humanity.     But  the   grand   fcience 
of  univerfal  benevolence  muft   be  referved  for  fu 
ture  ages ;  for  though  many  modern  nations  ima 
gine   themfelves  to  be  eminently  enlightened,  yet 
they  are  in  fa6l  but   juft  beginning  to  emerge  from 
the  intermediate  ftate   between  barbarity  and  true 
refinement. 

For  the  pra&ice  of  flavery  we  are  not  to  repro 
bate  the  Algerines  alone  ;  for  the  divan  of  Great 
Britain  are  equally  reprchenfible,  and  have  more 

eminently 


DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS.     235 

eminently  diftinguilhed  themfelves  in  this  nefarious 
commerce*  From  them  we  have  adopted  the  exe 
crable  pra6lice,  and  the  United  States,  emphatical 
ly  called  the  land  of  liberty,  fwarrn  with  thofe 
femi-barbarians  who  enthral  their  fellow  creatures 
ii'ithout  the  leaft  remorfe.  With  what  countenance 
then  can  we  reproach  a  fet  of  barbarians,  who 
have  only  retorted  our  own  afts  upon  ourfelves  in 
making  reprifals  upon  our  citizens?  For  it  is  ma- 
nifefl:  to  the  world,  that  we  are  equally  culpable, 
and  in  whatever  terms  of  opprobrium  we  may  ex 
ecrate  the  piratic  difpofition  of  the  Africans,  yet 
all  our  recriminations  will  recoil  upon  ourfelves. 

Having  premifed  thus  much,  we  fhall  now  pro 
ceed  to  make  a  few  obfervations  upon  the  flaves  of 
Algiers,  and  as  a  preliminary  we  (hall  detail  the 
particulars  of  the  capture  of  the  (hip  Prefident,  that 
the  public  may  have  fome  idea  of  thefe  banditti  of 
the  ocean. 

On  the  23d  of  O&ober  1793,  about  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  the  crew  of  the  fhip  Prefident, 
when  they  were  only  within  a  few  hours  fail  of 
Cadiz,  the  port  to  which  they  were  bound,  difco- 
vered  an  armed  xebeck  of  16  guns  under  Spanifh 
colours,  bearing  down  upon  them  ;  upon  which 
the  American  flag  was  immediately  hoifted,  and 
as  a  very  light  breeze  prevailed  it  was  a  confider- 
able  time  before  the  two  veflels  were  within  hail 
of  each  other.  When  the  xebeck  came  within 
gun-fhot  of  the  American  veflel  fne  hauled  down 
her  Spanifh  colours,  hoifled  the  bloody  flag,  and 
fired  a  platoon  of  fmall  arms.  This  circu.m- 
ftance  threw  them  into  the  mod  violent  conOerna- 
tion  imaginable,  and  their  firft  aim  was  to  fecure 
their  clothes,  money,  and  other  articles.  The 
pirates  foon  after  hoified  out  their  beat,  into  which 

about 


gjS    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

about  thirty  armed  men  entered,  who  rowed  with 
great  violence  towards  the  American  veflel,  which 
they  boarded  with  piftols  and  drawn  fwords,  and 
with  the  greateft  fury  and  (houting  imaginable,  in 
order  to  irnprefs  the  minds  of  the  Americans  with 
a  convi6lion  of  their  great  intrepidity  in  a  naval 
attack* 

As  foon  as  they  were  on  deck,  they  fell  foul  of 
the  crew  like  fo  many  ravenous  wolves  that  had 
broken  loofe  from  their  kennel  ;  they  tore  oft*  their 
clothes,  and  the  moft  furious  fcramble  fucceeded 
that  can  be  conceived  ;  every  one  being  anxious  to 
appropriate  moft  of  the  booty  to  himfelf.  One 
American  affures  us  that  he  was  feized  by  no  lefs 
than  four  Algerines  at  once,  who  threw  him  down 
and  ftripped  him  naked  ;  but  what  evinced  the  mofi 
fingular  ferocity  in  human  nature,  in  fcrambling  for 
his  clothes  thofe  furies  came  to  blows  among  them- 
felves;  the  moment  one  had  tornoffhis  coat, another 
attempted  to  wrefl  it  from  him,  and  a  buftle  enfued 
between  them.  The  two  that  had  fei'zed  his  trowfera? 
tore  them  in  pieces  in  their  ftruggle  for  pofleffion, and 
a  fcene  of  fimilar  rapacity  was  a6led  towards  every" 
other  American.  Every  part  of  the  veffel  was  rifled,, 
chefts  were  broken  open,  and  they  feized  every  arti 
cle  that  could  be  carried  off  with  an  avaricious  fury, 
characleriftic  of  no  other  nation  under  heaven. 

After  they  had  loaded  themfelves  with  plunder^ 
they  thruft  all  the  American  crew  into  their  boat, 
in  this  naked  and  infulted  condition,  at  the  point 
of  their  cutlafles  ;  thofe  who  difcovered  any  relu6t- 
ance,  were  knocked  down  and  kicked  into  the 
boat,  where  they  were  trampled  under  foot  by  this 
clan  of  defparadoes.  They  were  taken  on  board 
the  xebeck,  and  another  boat's  crew  immediately 
returned  to  take  charge  of  the  American  veflfeL 

Here 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.      237 

Here  they  had  the  pleafure  of  being  introduced  to 
Rais  Mahomet,  the  ccnnmandcr  of  the  xebeck,  an 
emaciated  loathfome  figure,  who  fat  fmcking  his 
pipe  upon  a  fheep-fkin,  and  fippmg  a  dim  of  coffee 
which  was  placed  before  hirn.  It  is  not  a  little  fur- 
prizing,  that  fuch  a  miferable  obje6l  ihould  be  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  of  a  corfair,  and  this  cir- 
curnftance  muft  evince  the  futility  of  their  naval 
policy.  He  appeared  to  be  upwards  of  a  hun 
dred  years  old,  and  through  age  and  impotency, 
was  fcarcely  able  to  fupport  a  tottering  frame.  His 
hands  were  palfied  ;  his  eyes  funk  deep  in  his  head, 
and  through  weaknefs  dripped  a  continual  flow  of 
tears.  From  his  ghaftly  viiage  flowed  a  beard  of 
the  brighter!:  filver,  except  where  it  was  fullied  by 
the  drippings  of  his  coffee,  and  an  involuntary  dif- 
charge  of  fpittle.  His  voice  was  fcarcely  audible, 
and  in  his  exterior  he  refembled  fome  old  hermit, 
that  had  been  immured  a  hundred  years. 

Such  was  the  commander  of  the  Algerine  xe 
beck.  When  they  had  feafted  their  cunofity  up 
on  this  very  venerable  figure,  their  attention  was 
turned  to  their  new  quarters,  which  they  furveyed 
with  new  adonifhment.  Nearly  a  hundred  and 
fifty  Algerines  were  crowded  into  this  veffel,  and 
whatever  deicription  can  be  drawn  by  the  moil  fer 
tile  imagination,  of  lice,  fleas,  filth  and  flench,  was 
here  nearly  realifed.  Their  decks  were  never  fuf- 
fered  to  be  fwept  or  warned,  and  they  feemed  to 
preferve  their  dirt  with  a  kind  of  veneration.  >Thefe 
delicate  planks  they  fubftituted  for  tables,  upon 
which  they  ate  their  provifions,  which  confifted  of 
olives,  bread,  vinegar  and  oil.  When  they  had  finifh- 
ed  their  meals,  they  threw  part  of  the  fragments 
overboard,  and  the  remainder  was  trampled  into 
the  general  mafs  of  filth. 

As 


238    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

As  foon  as  they  had  fecurec!  their  prize,  the  raoft 
extravagant  mirth  and  boifterous  exultation  fuo 
ceeded  ;  to  commemorate  the  event  a  fheep  was  fa- 
crificed,  and  after  befmearing  the  fides  of  the  vesTel 
with  its  blood,  they  concluded  the  ceremony  by- 
devouring  its  fl-efli. 

After  the  termination  of  this  fedivity,  the  pri- 
foners  were  arraigned  on  deck,  and  a  fecond  Grip 
ping  took  place.  Thole  who  had  not  been  depri 
ved  of  all  their  clothes  at  fir  ft,  were  now  dripped 
naked,  and  in  their  Head  they  were  accommodated 
with  a  few  dirty  rags,  which  had  been  the  refufe  of 
this  ioufy  crew.  By  Mahomet's  order,  the  clothes 
of  the  captives  were  all  thrown  together  in  a  heap, 
and  fold  at  public  vendue. 

The  mod  laborious  part  of  duty  in  the  xebeck 
was  then  adigned  to  the  Americans,  and  the  pirates, 
iblely  intent  upon  fecuring  their  prize,  immediately 
flood  in  for  the  freights  without  looking  out  for  fur 
ther  plunder.  In  their  pafTage  the  Americans  could 
not  help  remarking  the  continual  dread  and  appre- 
henfion  of  thefe  free-booters,  who  were  continu 
ally  looking  out  wjth  their  glaffes,  and  like  a  band 
of  thieves  who  are  confcious  of  the  villany  of  their 
profefiion,  they  trembled  with  the  mod  vifible 
condernation  at  every  fail  that  hove  in  fight.  The 
Americans  reprefent  thefe  pirates  as  the  mod  undif- 
ciplined  and  pufilanimous  failors  in  the  world,  and  in- 
fidthat  the  mod  inconfiderate  naval  force  with  Britiili 
difcipline,  is  fufficient  to  defeat  or  keep  any  of  them 
at  bay.  The  greated  difplay  of  Algerine  bravery, 
is  at  the  commencement  of  an  engagement,  when 
they  endeavour  to  intimidate  their  enemies,  like  the 
American  favages,  with  the  mod  horrible  yells. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  fame  day  the  Prelident  was 
captured  they  fell  in  with  a  Britiili  frigate,  when  the 

Americans 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      239 

Americans  were  ordered  below,  and  on  the  fecond 
*lay  with  a  Britifh  merchantman,  with  whom  they 
had  before  been  in  company  without  the  ftrei^hts, 
whom  they  requeued  to  publilh  an  account  of  their 
Capture  at  the  firft  port  they  touched. 

On  their  pafiage  up  the  tlreights  they  had  it  fre 
quently  in  contemplation  to  rife  upon  the  Aigerinc 
crew,  to  difarm  thofe  upon  watch,  and  to  confine 
the  rell  below  by  fecuring  the  hatches;  but  their 
imall  number  deterred  them  from  Itch  an  atferrpt. 
On  the  3Oth  of  Ooclober  they  arrived  at  Algiers, 
and  were  taken  alhore  to  the  vichelhadge's  fkifF, 
where  they  were  attended  by  the  dey's  jcrivan  or 
head  clerk, who  conducted  them  to  the  palace.  Here 
they  were  lodged  in  an  outer  couit,  which  had  been 
occupied  as  a  kind  of  black- fmith's  (hop,  where  they 
weie  refrelhed  with  a  mefs  of  cuzcuz,  and  after  re- 
poiing  the  fird  night  upon  forne  facksof  draw,  they 
•were  ordered  to  the  Bagnio  Baleck. 

When  the  crews  of  the  American  veflels  were 
captured  they  were  entirely  dripped  of  their 
drefs,  and  prefented  in  exchange  with  a  parcel  of 
old  rags  and  a  pair  of  coarfe  trowfers,  which  only 
reached  down  to  their  knees.  They  laboured  for 
feveral  months  in  this  wretched  apparel,  which  was 
not  fufficient  to  protect  them  from  the  rays  of  a 
icorching  fun,  till  at  length  each  captive  was  ac 
commodated  by  the  United  States  with  a  hat  and  a 
•  fuit  of  blue  clothes,  which  were  fent  them  from 
Alicant  by  Mr.  Montgomery  the  American  conful ; 
a  provilicn  which  they  received  annually  while 
they  continued  in  this  miferable  abode-  They 
were  alfo  furnifhed  with  money,  which  had  been 
depofited  by  Mr.  Humphreys  at  Alicant,  and  tranf- 
rrsitted  to  the  Svvedifh  conful  in  Algiers,  upon  whom 
the  American  captains  drew  every  month  for  the 

furns 


2,|o      DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

Turns  that  were  feverally  allotted  to  the  captives, 
To  each  private  there  was  granted  an  allowance  of 
3  dollars  and  75  cents,  to  each  mate  6  dollars, 
and  to  each  captain  8  dollars  per  month — a  very 
unjuft  diftin&ion,  efpecially  as  the  privates  were 
fubje&ed  to  much  greater  hardfhips  than  either  the 
captains  or  mates.  By  this  allowance  their  fitua- 
tion  was  rendered  lefs  deplorable,  and  they  were 
enabled  to  procure  a  fuppcr  of  meat  every  night, 
inftead  of  the  black  bread  and  oil  with  which  they 
ivere  daily  furnimed.  It  is  obfervable  that  no  na 
tion  made  any  provifion  for  their  enflaved  coun 
trymen  but  the  United  States,  and  in  confequence 
the  Turks  gave  them  the  appellation  of  cavatero? 
or  gentlemen. 

Every  public  (lave  wore  an  iron  ring  round  his 
ancle,  which  was  always  an  evidence  of  his  belong 
ing  to  the  public,  and  no  Turk  could  moleO:  or 
even  infult  a  flave  of  this  defcription  with  impunity,* 
but  this  badge  was  not  conferred  upon  the  private 
flaves.  To  this  ring  was  faftened  a  chain  with  long 
links,  which  was  bound  round  their  body  to  pre 
vent  their  efcape  whenever  foreign  veiTels  lay  in 
the  harbour. 

When  there  is  a  public  ranfom  of  flaves  there  is 
no  difference  in  the  price  between  the  officers  and 
men,  but  in  private  ranfomsthe  dey  demands  4000 
dollars  for  each  captain  and  mate,  and  2000  dol 
lars  for  every  private.  All  flaves  who  die  after  the 
conclufion  of  treaties  are  paid  for,  and  the  dey  ex- 
a6ted  the  ufual  fums  for  all  the  American  captives 
who  died  after  the  ^th  of  September  1796- 

When  a  corfair  takes  a  prizehe  carries  thecsptivcs 
direclly  to  the  palace  of  the  dey,  where  the  Euro 
pean  conluls  afiemble,  to  fee  if  any  of  the  prifon- 

ers 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     241 

ers  belong  to  their  refpeclive  nations,  who  are  at 
peace  with  Algiers.  In  that  cafe  they  reclaim  them, 
provided  they  were  only  paflengers ;  but  if  they 
have  ferved  on  board  of  the  fhips  of  any  people  at 
war  with  this  regency,  they  cannot  be  difcharged 
without  payment  of  the  full  ranfom. 

The  deys  formerly  had  their  choice  only  of  ev 
ery  eighth  (lave,  and  they  generally  chofe  the  mai- 
ters,  furgeons,  carpenters,  and  the  moft  ufeful  hands 
belonging  to  the  feveral  prizes,  befides  perfons  of 
quality,  for  whom  they  expected  a  large  ranfom  ;  but 
at  prefent  it  feerns  that  the  dey  is  entitled  to  any 
number  he  thinks  proper  to  make  choice  of,  who  are 
generally  employed  in  menial  offices  about  the  pa 
lace.  He  alfo  is  entitled  to  all  captured  veffels  and 
their  cargoes,  and  the  rais  or  captains  generally  re 
ceive, befides  their  monthly  pay,  a  certain  premium, 
or  extra-compenfation  from  the  dey  for  every  cap 
tured  veflel. 

The  remainder  of  the  flaves  are  fent  into  the  fervice 
of  the  public  ;  but  if  they  can  procure  a  little  money 
from  their  friends,  or  borrow  any  of  the  Jews  upon 
exorbitant  intereft,  they  are  permitted  to  keep  ta 
verns,  they  paying  to  the  dey  a  certain  duty  in  pro 
portion  to  the  wine  they  fell;  and  notwithftanding 
this  intereft  and  duty,  many  have  managed  fo  well  as 
to  ra^ife  money  enough  to  purchafe  their  liberty,  and 
to  carry  away  a  quantity  befides:  for  they  are  allow 
ed  a  property  in  what  they  get.  To  thefe  taverns 
refort  Turks,  Moors,  and  Chriftians  proniifcuoufly. 
But  a  MuiTulman  would  not  keep  one  of  thefe  ta 
verns  for  the  world  himfelf,  and  confequently  they 
are  kept  by  Chriflians  and  Jews.  And  a  tavern- 
keeper,  though  a  flave,  is  empowered  to  ft  rip  any 
of  his  guefts,  even  the  Turks  themfelves,  if  they  re- 

fufe 
X 


24s      DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS. 

fufe  to  pay  their  reckoning;  and  herein  he  is  pro 
tected  by  the  dey  himfelf. 

The  condition  of  thofe  who  are  flaves  to  private 
individuals,  depends  very  much  upon  the  difpofi- 
tion  of  their  matter,  and  the  Haves'  own  conducl. 
Some  of  them  fare  better  in  Algiers,  than  ever  they 
did  in  their  own  countries,  and  if  they  are  good 
for  any  thing,  are  entertained  rather  as  compani 
ons  than  fervants  ;  though  by  far  the  greater  num 
ber  are  barbarous  matters,  who  treat  their  flaves 
with  great  cruelty,  and  perfons  of  quality,  or  thofe 
who  are  fufpe&ed  to  be  in  affluent  circumftances, 
experience  a  greater  feverity  of  treatment,  in  order 
lhat  they  may  be  compelled  to  redeem  themfelves  at 
an  extraordinary  price.  Their  female  Haves  are 
fent  to  the  dey's  feraglio,  where  they  are  made  con 
cubines,  or  fubjefred  to  domeftic  iervices,  uniefs  a 
confiderable  ranlbm  is  expeclecl  for  them ;  or  if  young 
they  are  fold  to  fuch  as  want  them  for  thefe  purpofes* 

They  neither  force  nor  tempt  any  of  the  Chriili- 
an  ilaves  to  change  their  religion  ;  as  it  is  not  their 
intereft  that  they  fhould  be  made  converts :  for  in 
that  cafe  they  loie  the  benefit  of  their  ranfoms.  The 
Chriftians  who  are  free,  generally  fare  worfe  than 
the  Ilaves  ;  becaufe  the  imperious  Turks  make  it  a 
point  to  infult  and  abufe  them  :  but  they  dare  not 
abufe  the  flaves,  becaufe  their  mailers  will  refent  it 
and  demand  fatisfa£iion. 

Thofe  flaves  who  are  fold  into  the  country  are 
fubje&ed  to  peculiar  hardfhips.  They  are  compel 
led  to  carry  all  kinds  of  burdens  to  market,  and  if 
they  do  not  render  a  fatisfa&cry  account  of  the  arti 
cles  entrufied  to  their  care,  they  are  fure  to  be 
beaten.  Some  of  thefe  flaves  go  naked  in  the  fields 
where  they  tend  cattle,  drag  ploughs,  and  do  all 
#ther  kinds  of  the  mod  fervile  drudgery. 

Many 


DESCRIPTION  Off  ALGIERS.     245 

Many  were  formerly  configned  to  the  galleys 
chained  by  one  leg,  and  fed  on  water  and  hard  bif- 
cuit,  and  beaten  with  a  large  cow-fkin.  When 
they  were  on  (hore  they  were  locked  up  at  night  in 
dungeons  called  Mafmora,  where  they  lay  on  the 
bare  earth.  But  at  prefent  no  flaves  are  confined  ta 
the  galleys,  becaufe  they  have  fo  frequently  made 
their  efcape,  or  murdered  their  commanders,  and 
fet  themfelves  at  liberty. 

While  the  Americans  were  enflaved  in  Algiers, 
the  moft  exaggerated  accounts  were  circulated  ref- 
pe£Ung  the  feverity  of  their  afHi&ions.  It  was  re 
ported  that  the  tongues  of  forne  were  cut  out,  that 
others  were  emafculated  ;  and  captain  Lawrence  of 
the  Hull  Packet,  who  is  faid  to  have  obtained  his 
information  at  Cadiz,  informs  us  that  the  Ame 
ricans  had  their  heads  fhaved  clofe,  and  were  not 
permitted  to  wear  any  kind  of  covering  on  their 
heads.  Their  calamities  were  indeed  without  a  pa 
rallel,  but  the  above  accounts  were  entirely  un- 
faunded. 

The  greateft  feverity  of  their  toils  confifted  in 
the  removal  of  the  fragments  of  rocks  from  Bubly- 
white,  as  before  mentioned  *.  It  has  been  found 
by  repeated  experiments,  that  the  larger  thefe 
flones,  the  more  effe&ually  they  refift  the  impetu- 
ofity  of  the  fea,  and  confequently  the  great  art  of 
the  flaves  who  are  appointed  to  blow  them,  confifts 
in  boring  them  in  fuch  a  manner  that  an  expio- 
fion  of  gun-powder  will  fever  the  largeft  maffes 
poffible  :  fo  that  the  holes  which  are  bored  into 
the  rock  fometimes  extend  to  the  depth  of  twenty 
feet.  Round  thefe  huge  fragments  they  lafh  ropes, 

or 

*  Page  7f. 


'244    DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS. 

or  rather  cables,  of  fufficient  firength  to  drag  them, 
and  three  or  four  hundred  flaves,  arid  fometimes  a 
greater  number,  are  engaged  in  rolling  one  of  thefe 
Hones  upron  a  carette,  or  ftrong  four  wheel  car 
riage,  in  order  to  tranfport  it  to  the  mole. 

The  Turks  make  the  moft  aftonifhing  noife, 
rot  only  in  the  removal  of  thefe  ftone's,  but  in  mo 
ving  any  weight  whatever  which  requires  a  number 
of  hands.  They  feem  to  imagine  that  the  greater 
their  vociferation,  the  greater  will  be  the  exertions 
of  the  flaves  or  labourers;  it  is  immaterial  how 
(lowly  the  work  proceeds,  provided  there  is  fuf- 
fkieat  noife,  and  the  cry  of  Hyomoly,  or  heave 
£vvay,  is  often  heard  at  the  diftance  of  more  than 
a  league. 

When  they  have  launched  thefe  unweildy  maf- 
fes  of  ftone  upon  the  carriages,  the  cables  are  fix 
ed  to  them,  and  four  files  of  (laves  are  compelled, 
like  fo  many  beafts  of  burden,  to  drag  them  from 
the  mountain  to  the  city.  In  their  paffage  they  are 
obliged  to  afcend  a  fteep  hill,  where  their  u  tun  oft 
efforts  are  fometimes  infurKcient  to  drag  the  enor 
mous  weight.  The  feverity  of  their  toils  in  at 
taining  the  fummit  of  this  hill  is  fometimes  incon 
ceivable  ,'  the  fun  pours  down  the  moft  intolerable 
heat  upon  them,  and  they  are  drenched  in  fvveaf, 
and  involved  in  cloufs  of  duft  which  attend  them 
in  their  paffage.  Thus  many  become  perfectly 
exhausted  with  their  toils  ;  and  to  complete  the 
climax  of  their  fufferings,  their  brutal  overfeers, 
the  wardens,  fcdurge  them  for  the  leaft  remiffhefs 
with  the  moO.  favage  feverity. 

When  they  have  afcended  the  hill,  it  is  necef- 
fary  to  reverfe  the  ropes,  and  their  utmoft  efforts 
are  then  required  to  prevent  the  carette  from  de- 

fccnding 


DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS.     245 

fcending  the  hill  with  the  greateft  rapidity.  Thu-? 
after  great  labour  and  difficulty,  they  tranfpcrt 
theie  ftones  to  the  wharf,  where  the  pantoons  are 
moored,  which  is  about  a  league  from  the  moun 
tain,  and  a  ftone's  throw  from  the  walls  of  the  city. 
Here  they  depofit  them,  and  by  means  of  pulleys 
and  a  kind  of  ileds,  which  defcend  upon  greafed 
pieces  of  timber,  they  difcharge  them  into  the 
pantoons,  which  convey  them  to  the  mole. 

Thefe  pantoons  are  neceffary,  becaufe  the  narrow- 
nefs  of  the  ftreets  renders  the  pafTage  of  thefe  huge 
ftones  through  the  city  impra6ricable.  They  arc  a 
fpecies  of  large  flat  bottomed  boats,  that  cover  about 
as  much  water  as  a  feventy-four  gun  (hip.  They 
have  low  gunwhales,  and  long  pieces  of  timber  are 
nailed  acrofs  the  deck,  to  prevent  the  great  prcflurc 
of  the  ftones  from  injuring  the  planks.  They  ge 
nerally  carry  three  or  four  of  thefe  huge  Hones  at  a 
load,  with  a  number  of  fmaller  ones,  which  are 
diilributed  over  different  parts  of  the  deck. 

The  pantoons  are  navigated  by  cafttng  anchors 
and  cables  a-head.  Fifty  or  fixty  (laves  are  necefla- 
ry  toman  them,  and  by  means  of  theie  cables  arid 
anchors,which  are  continually  carried  a-head  as  oc- 
cafion  requires,  they  warp  the  pantoons  to  the  mole. 
In  their  paOTage  they  are  fornetimes  fubje&ed  to 
great  danger  from  fudden  fqualls  of  wind,  which 
either  blow  them  out  to  fea,  or  wreck  them  on  the 
fhore.  When  this  happens  the  greateft  buftle  ima 
ginable  enfues,  and  the  clamour  of  the  Turks  is 
fuch,  that  one  would  fuppofe  that  the  city  itfelf  was 
upon  the  verge  of  deftrudion.  The  (tones  are  dif- 
charged  at  the  mole  by  means  ofajkykrttyhich  is  a 
kind  of  platform  refernbling  the  leaf  of  a  table, 
projecting  from  the  ftcrn  of  the  pantoon.  and  low 
ered 

X    2  > 


246    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

cred  by  pulleys  ;  upon  this  the  fiones  are  placed  in 
iuceeffion,  by  means  of  crowbars,  and  depofited  up 
on  fuch  parts  of  the  mole  as  the  fea  makes  the  great- 
eft  impreffion. 

Thus  have  the  foolifh  Turks  continued  this  fruit- 
lefs  labour  for  upwards  of  250  years,  without  hav 
ing  conceived  the  project  of  forming  a  wall  of  fuffi- 
cient  ftrength  to  defend  the  mole  from  the  violence 
of  the  waves  ;  but  it  is  faid  that  the  dey  has  now 
fuch  a  project  in  contemplation,  which  he  intends 
ihortly  to  put  in  execution. 

The  irnpetuofity  of  the  fea  has  a  continual  ten 
dency  to  bury  thefe  ftones  in  the  fand.  An  eaflern, 
or  as  it  is  called  a  Levant  wind  will  roll  fuch  a 
heavy  fea  into  the  harbour,  that  in  the  courfe  of 
three  or  four  days,  the  labour  of  a  whole  feafon  will 
be  fwept  away-  The  fea  at  fuch  times  breaks  with 
great  violence  ever  the  mole,  and  even  the  walls  of 
ihe  magazines  are  fometimes  nearly  deftroyed. 

Two  pantoons  and  two  carettes,  with  a  gang  of 
flaves  to  each  of  them,  are  employed  in  tranfport- 
ing  thefe  ftones,  and  the  carettes  generally  bring 
each  two  loads  in  a  day. 

Many  flaves  are  employed  at  other  places  in  the 
country.  Some  at  a  mountain  called  Bubazoon* 
fome  at  the  gardens  of  different  confuls,  who  re- 
fide  in  the  country,  and  others  in  the  marine.  But  on 
Fridays  they  are  ordered  to  Bublywhite,  where 
the  vickelhadge  and  warden  bafhaws  attend,  and 
where,  on  thofc  days,  there  is  a  general  collection 
cf  all  the  flaves. 

After  they  finifli  their  daily  labour  they  all  repair 
totown  to  their  common  lodgings  the  bagnios,  where 
they  are  locked  up  every  night,  and  prohibited  all 
intercourfe  with  the  citizens.  The  private  flaves  are 
not,  however,  deprived  of  this  privilege,  and  they 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     247 

are  permitted  to  walk  the  ftreets  at  night,  provid 
ed  they  conform  to  the  common  cuftom  of  carrying 
a  light  with  them,  without  which  every  perfon  is 
fubjeft  to  being  arrefted  by  the  watchmen  of  the 
city,  and  to  chaftifement  by  the  baftinado. 

In  the  bagnios,  the  chief  aim  of  the  (laves  is  to 
drown  the  reile&ion  of  their  abje6t  fituation  by  the 
mo(i  cheerful  converfation.  They  have  few  a- 
mufements  here  to  divert  their  attention  ;  but  fome 
of  them,  when  they  have  leifure,  follow  their  pro- 
feffions,  in  order  to  obtain  a  little  money.  The 
principal  ftudy  of  the  more  humorous  Ameri 
cans,  was  to  difpel  the  gloom  of  their  companions 
and  to  excite  one  another  to  laughter  by  ludicrous 
and  fatirical  remarks  upon  their  fituaiion.  Some 
of  them  played  upon  the  violin,  and  frequent) y_af- 
ter  the  toils  of  the  day,  they  would  divert  them* 
felves  all  night  by  dancing,  drinking  and  fingingr 
in  order  to  banifh  the  reflection  of  ftavery.  In 
their  frolics  they  were  often  very  clamorous)  arid 
interrupted  the  repofe  of  the  whole  bagnio  ;  at 
which  time  fome  of  the  flaves  would  often  lodge 
complaints  againft  them,  and  the  corporal  would 
then  put  an  end  to  the  frolic  by  ordering  them  to 
retire  to  reft. 

The  flaves  are  let  out  of  the  bagnios  at  an  early  hour 
in  the  morning,  and  they  proceed  to  their  labour" 
with  penfive  hearts  and  reluctant  fteps.  When  they 
are  employed  in  the  marine  they  repair  every  morn 
ing  to  a  place  near  the  gate  of  Lktbazira,  which  opens 
to  the  harbour,  where  they  are  paraded  in  files  along 
the  platforms  of  the  houfcs  on  each  fide  of  the  flreef. 
Here  they  wait  the  arrival  of  the  vickelhadge,  who 
foon  makes  his  appearance,  and  as  he  pafles  between 
them  they  are  compelled  to  pull  off  their  hats  as  a 
token  of  refpecU  After  him  a  procefMon  of  the 

ilaves 


24?     DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

flaves  is  immediately  formed,  and  as  he  takes  his  feat 
in  the  fkirT,  a  trumpet  is  founded  from  the  marine. 
They  are  then  embarked  on  board  the  Baleck  boats, 
which  are  kept  for  the  purpofe,  and  Iranfported  to 
the  cruifers  which  are  Rationed  in  different  parts  of 
the  harbour. 

The  bufmefs  of  the  marine  is  the  leaft  laborious 
employment  of  the  Haves.  But  even  here  they  are 
fubjecled  at  times  to  great  hardfhips,  and  efpecially 
when  an  expedition  is  on  foot  ;  at  which  time  they 
are  compelled  to  labour  all  night  in  making  the  ne- 
celTary  preparations  for  the  cruifc.  The  fhcre  is  il 
luminated  with  lamps,  and  Turkifh  guards  are  (Rati 
oned  on  the  mole,  and  in  other  parts,  to  prevent 
their  efcape. 

Their  food  confills  of  bread,  oil,  and  vinegar. 
To  each  perfon  is  diilributed  two  fmall  loaves  of 
about  half  a  pound  each,  and  a  jill  of  oil  a  day. 
Th^fe  articles  are  brought  to  Bublywhite  by  mule 
teers,  who  are  daily  employed  in  carrying  pro- 
vifions  to  the  flaves.  The  bread  is  of  the  mod  in 
different  quality,  and  is  made  of  unboulted  meal, 
ground  in  mills  in  the  city  which  are  turned  by 
horfes.  The  general  employment  of  the  mule 
teers,  befides  carrying  provifions  to  the  flaves, 
is  conveying  lime  into  the  city  from  the  lime-kilns 
in  the  country,  for  the  purpofes  of  building  and 
white-wafhing  houfes. 

All  the  Tick  among  the  flaves  who  are  incapa 
ble  of  labour  are  fent  to  the  hofpital  oppofite  to 
the  Bagnio  Baleck,  which  will  accommodate  a- 
bout  fifty.  This  indituticn  is  fupportcd  at  the 
cxpence  of  the  Spanim  nation,  and  is  under  ^he 
iupenntendance  of  a  phyfician  and  three  Spani'h 
priefts,  Here  they  are  well  accommodated  with 
beds,  and  furnlihcd  with  provifions  in  beef  and 

bread 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.     249 

bread,  and  medicines  are  prefcribed  according  to 
their  feveral  complaints.  The  upper  apartments 
of  this  hofpital  are  occupied  by  fuch  as  have  the 
plague,  and  the  lower  parts  by  thofe  who  are  confi 
ned  with  other  diforders,  It  is  faid  that  the  fupport 
of  this  hofpital  cofts  the  Spanilli  nation  40,000 
dollars  per  annum,  which  are  annualy  transmitted 
to  Algiers  for  this  benevolent  purpofe. 

It  has  been  reported  that  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  American  veflTds  were  treated  with  equal 
feverity  ;  but  this  was  a  miftake.  Neither  the  A- 
rnerican  captains  nor  mates  were  fubjeded  to  the 
labour  of  the  common  (laves  ;  but  were  employed 
in  the  fail-loft  in  making  fails,  or  in  boring  pumps 
for  veflels,  and  fometimes  after  lazar  in  the  after 
noon  they  were  fent  to  affifl  in  unloading  the  pan- 
toons.  This  was  the  general  routine  of  bufinefs 
affigned  to  the  captains  and  mates  of  veflels  ;  but 
thefailors  were  indifcriminately  employed  in  every 
kind  of  labour. 

The  Americans  fupported  the  beft  characters  of 
any  (laves  in  Algiers,  and  the  rnoft  of  them  could 
always  obtain  credit  in  the  bagnios  for  wine  and 
other  liquors  ;  a  favour  that  was  conferred  upon  nei 
ther  Turks  nor  Moors,  of  whom  the  tavern-keep 
ers  were  always  obliged  to  be  extremely  watchful  ; 
otherwife  they  would  frequently  fteal  away  without 
paying  for  the  liquors  they  drank. 

The  rnoft  turbulent  of  the  flaves  are  the  Spani 
ards,  who  frequently  quarrel  at  night,  and  fight  in 
the  bagnios  with  drawn  daggers ;  at  which  times 
the  corporals  fettle  difturbances  among  them  with  a 
fhort  rope  with  a  knot  in  the  end,  or  confine*  them 
in  chains  till  morning. 

Thofe  flaves  who  have  incurred  the  penalty  of 
death  are  generally  executed  at  the  fountain  in  front 

of 


250    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

of  the  dey's  palace,  where  the  Turkifli  execution 
ers  attend.  The  criminal  is  made  to  kneel  down  ; 
one  of  the  Turks  then  touches  him  on  the  back  part 
of  the  head,  and  as  he  turns  round  to  fee  what  was 
the  caufe,  the  other  with  a  (harp  fword  at  the  fame 
inftant  fevers  his  head  from  his  (boulders*  After  the 
execution,  the  blood  is  waftved  through  the  ground 
into  the  common  fewer,  and  his  body  is  buried  in  the 
fand  near  the  fea  fhore,  as  they  are  not  fuffered 
the  privilege  of  a  Mahometan  burial. 

The  American  captives  generally  bore  their 
fufFcrings  with  great  fortitude, and  conducted  them- 
felves  with  fuperior  decorum  ;  but  notwithftandingr 
frequent  and  fevere  punifhments  were  inflidted  upon 
them  for  the  moft  trivial  remiffnefs,  and  a  thoufand 
inadvertencies,  which  are  natural  to  thofe  who  have 
been  accuftomed  to  the  enjoyment  of  their  liberties. 

Soon  after  their  arrival  in  Algiers  they  drew  up 
an  affe&ing  addrefs  to  Colonel  Humphreys, who  re- 
fided  at  Madrid,  which  was  duly  anfwered  ;  and  as 
this  correfpondence  details  fome  particulars  that 
have  not  been  hitherto  enumerated,  we  fhall  clofe. 
the  prefent  chapter  with  its  infertion. 


Letter  from  fun  dry  captive  American  captains,  to 
colonel  David  Humphreys^  dated  Algiers,  De 
cember  2()th,  1793. 

WE  the  fubfcribers,  in  behalf  of  ourfelves  and 
brother  fuflferers,  at  prefent  captives  in  this  ci 
ty  of  human  mifery,  return  you  our  fincere  thanks 
for  your  communications  of  the  2Qth  ult.  and  for 
the  provifion  you  have  been  pleafed  to  allow  us, 
in  order  to  alleviate  forfiewhat  our  fufferings  in  our 
prefent  fituation. 

We 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     251 

We  have  drawn  up  and  figned  two  petitions, 
one  to  the  Senate,  the  other  to  the  Houfe  of  Re- 
prefentatives,  and  we  (hall  efteem  it  among  the  ma 
ny  favors  you  have  rendered  us,  that  you  will 
pleafe  to  forward  thefe  petitions  to  their  refpe&ivc 
addrefs,  fo  that  no  time  may  be  loft;  but  that  they 
be  laid  before  the  Reprefentives  of  our  country, 
hoping  that  the  United  States  will  fully  provide 
funds  for  extricating  from  captivity,  and  reft  ore  us 
to  our  country,  families,  friends  and  ccnne&ions* 

We  have  perufed  with  fentiments  of  fatisfa£tion 
and  approbation,  your  memorial  to  the  regency  of 
Algiers,  and  have  to  obferve,  that  its  contents  ful 
ly  coincide  with  our  fentiments  on  this  bufmefe, 
which  we  truft  in  the  Almighty,  will  terminate  to 
the  honor  and  intereft  of  our  common  country, 
notwithftanding  the  infmuations,  (of  others  in  this 
quarter)  to  the  prejudice  of  the  United  States. 

We  truft,  and  hope,  that  the  United  States  will 
adopt  fuch  effedhial  plans,  in  order  to  prevent  any 
more  of  our  brethren  fharing  our  unhappy  fate, 
which  unavoidably  muft  happen,  if  ibme  fpeedy 
and  effectual  means  are  not  immediately  put  in  ex 
ecution,  as  we  underftand  the  Portuguefe  truce 
with  this  regency  was  agreed  on  for  one  year. 

What  damps  our  fpirits  in  fome  degree,  is,  that 
we  are  informed  that  the  plague,  that  fatal  and  tre 
mendous  diforder,  has  given  its  awful  alarm  in  the 
country  adjacent.  And  as  your  unfortunate  coun 
trymen  are  confined  during  the  night  time  in  the 
Have-prifons,  with  fix  hundred  captives  of  other 
nations,  from  our  crowded  fituation  we  rnufl  be 
expofed  to  this  contagious  diforder  ;  which  necef- 
fitates  the  fubfcribers  to  intreat  you,  fir,  that  in 
this  cafe,  thofe  our  friends,  and  of  influence  in 
this  regency,  will  be  authorifed  by  you,  and  our 

-honoured 


252      DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

honoured  countrymen  Mr.  Carmichael  and  Mr* 
Short,  to  have  a  houfe  taken  for  the  refidence  of  the 
American  mailers  and  mates,  and,  if  poffible,  the 
mariners,  to  fhield  them  from  the  threatning  ftorm 
of  mortality  and  danger. 

We  make  no  doubt,  but  in  cafe  of  Almighty's 
wrath  vifiting  this  city  of  iniquity,  but  the  dey 
and  regency  would  acquiefce  to  the  propofed  plan 
of  humanity,  which  would  be  eftablilhing  an  ex 
ample  for  the  general  welfare  of  mankind — and 
would  to  pofterity  be  recorded  to  the  immortal  ho 
nor  of  the  United  States. 

The  fame  time,  honoured  fir,  and  friend,  be 
you  aflured,  for  your  confolation,  that  we  the  A- 
rnerican  captives,  in  this  city  of  bondage,  will 
bear  our  fufferings  withf  ortitude  and  resignation, 
as  becoming  a  race  of  men  endowed  with  iuperior 
fouls  in  adverfity. 

We  are  much  indebted  to  Monfieur  Skjoldebrand, 
and  brother,  his  Swedifh  majeily's  agents,  in  this 
city,  for  their  humanity,  and  attention  to  the  Ame 
rican  captives  ,*  and  feel  ourfelves  particularly  obli 
ged  to  you  for  recommending  us  to  the  good  offices 
of  coniuls  Skjoldebrand,  and  Mr.  Mace,  whom 
you  mention  to  us  as  friends. 

With  fentiments  of  gratitude  and  the  mfcft  pro 
found  refpe£t,  we  remain, 

Honored  fir, 

Your  moft  obedient 

moft  humble  fervants, 

The  fubfcribers,  in  behalf  of  ourfelves  and  bro 
ther  fufferers. 

Richard 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.  253 

Richard  O'Brien,       1785     Mofes  Morfe,         1793 
IJaac  Stephens,  do.     Jofeph  Ingraham,    do. 

James  Taylor,           J793     Michael  Smith,  do* 

William  Wallace,         do*     William  Furnafs,  do. 

Samuel  Calder,             do*     John  Rurnharn,  do. 

William  Penrofe          do.     John  M'Shane,  do* 
Timothy  Newman        do. 

To  DAVID  HUMPHREYS,  Efq.  &c. 


'To  captain  O'Brien,  and  the  other  captains^  &c* 
of  the  United  States,  now  prisoners  in  Algiers. 

Madrid,  January  i2th,  1794. 

I  HAVE  been  favoured  by  the  receipt  of  your 
joint  letter,  dated  2gth  December,  and,  as  I  am 
about  to  fct  out  immediately  for  Lifbon,  I  fhall  be 
able  to  do  little  more  than  affure  you,  that  your 
memorials  to  the  Senate  and  Houfe  of  Reprefenta- 
tives  of  the  United  States  fhall  be  forwarded  to 
them  in  ihe  earlieft  and  fafeft  manner  poffible. 

Having  communicated  to  Mr.  Carmichael,  and 
Mr.  Short,  your  apprehenfion  that  the  plague  may 
again  be  introduced  to  Algiers;  from  the  adjacent 
countries,  where  it  is  already  faid  to  prevail;  we 
have  not  hefitated  to  concur  with  you  in  fentiment, 
that  in  cafe  of  that  dreadful  event,  it  might  be  ufeful 
•  for  you  to  have  a  houfe  hired  in  the  country;  in 
order  to  endeavour,  by  all  human  precautions,  to 
prevent  your  falling  viclims  to  that  terrible  diforder. 
Whereupon  Mr.  Robert  Montgomery,  conful  of 
the  United  States  at  Alicant,  has  been  empowered, 
in  cafe  that  dreadful  event  (hould  happen,  to  furnifh 
Y  fufficiervt 


DESCRIPTION   OF    ALGIERS. 

fufficient  money  to  pay  for  the  hire  of  a  houfe,  in 
the  manner,  and  for  the  purpofe  you  propofe.  This 
provifional  arrangement  to  continue  in  force,  until 
Mr.  Montgomery  fhall  receive  ulterior  in(lru6lions 
from  the  government  of -the  United  States,  for  con 
tinuing  or  fuipendingthe  lame. 

I  entreat  you  will  be  perfuaded,  my  dear  and  un~ 
fortunate  countrymen,  that  I  receive  with  great 
fatisfa6lion  the  marks  of  your  approbation,  of  the 
honeft,  but  ineflfe&ual  efforts  I  have  made  in  your 
favor.  Would  to  Heaven,  they  had  been  as  fuc- 
cefsful  as  they  were  difmterefted  and  (incc:re- 

I  have  only  to  repeat,  that  you  may  at  all 
times,  and  on  all  occasions,  count  upon  the  fym» 
pathetic  regard 

And  efteem  of  your  real  friend, 

And  affectionate  fellow-citizen, 

D.  HUMPHREYS. 

P.  S.  Though  I  have  repeatedly  remarked,  that 
it  may  perhaps,  (for  particular  reafons)  be  inexpe 
dient  for  me  to  keep  up  a  regular  correfpondence 
with  you  ;  yet  it  is  proper  1  friould  add,  that  1  {hall 
always  be  glad  to  hear  from  you;  and  that  it  may 
be  particularly  interefting  to  the  government  of  our 
country,  to  receive  at  the  earlieft  poflible  period,  all 
intelligence  of  importance.  I  (hall  therefore  always 
be  ready  to  communicate  fuch  intelligence,  until 
ibme  nearer,  and  better  channel  of  communication 
can  be  eftablifhedc 


CHAP, 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      255 


C  H  A  P.     V.. 


Particular   anecdote  sy    occurrences    and  occafional  remark^ 
ivhich  throw  fame   additional    light   upon   the  biftory 
[  cufloms   and   manners  of  the  Algerines* 


IT  is  impoffible  foranyilave  to  efcape  from  Algiers 
by  land:  for  if  he  is  difcovered  by  the  Moors  he 
is  apprehended  and  brought  back  to  the  city,  where 
they  receive  a  reward  for  their  trouble.  Thofe 
that  can  get  on  board  of  French  or  Englifh  {hips  ob 
tain  their  liberties,  and  no  demand  is  made  upon 
the  commanders  to  deliver  them  up:  and  when 
ever  foreign  vefTels  lie  in  the  habour  all  the  ilaves 
who  work  in  the  marine  are  obliged  to  wear  heavy 
chains.  But  by  water  many  (laves  have  efcaped, 
and  the  Algerines  have  in  confequence  become  io 
extremely  vigilant,that  an  efcape  is  now  almoft  im- 
pra&icable. 


Attempt  of  fifteen  /laves  to  efcape 

WHILE  the  American  captives  were  employed  at 
Bubiywhite,  a  fcheme  was  concerted  between  fif 
teen  Genoefe,  Portuguefe,  and  Neapolitan  Ilaves, 
to  make  their  efcape  in  one  of  the  boats  that  at 
tend  the  pantoons.  This  plot  had  been  in  agita 
tion  for  leveral  weeks,  and  in  the  mean  time  they 

had 


256   DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

had  prepared  themfelves  with  weapons  of  defence, 
and  all  neceflary  articles  for  their  voyage.  About 
nine  o'clock  one  very  hot  morning,  in  the  time  of 
Ramadan,  while  Montenegro,  the  warden  of  the 
pantoon,  lay  afleep,  theie  fifteen  flaves,  at  the 
word  of  command,  jumped  into  the  boat  which 
lay  along  fide  the  pantoon,  and  put  to  fea  in  an 
inftant.  The  portezero,  or  boatfwain  of  the  pan- 
toon,  immediately  waked  Montenegro,  who  was 
aftonifhed  beyond  meafure  when  he  law  them 
under  weigh,  and  hallowed  to  them  in  a  furious 
tone  of  voice  to  return;  upon  which  one  of 
the  Portuguefe  waved  his  naked  fword  in  defi 
ance,  the  crew  gave  three  loud  huzzas,  and  rowed 
with  all  their  might  towards  the  SpaniQi  coaft. 
Montenegro,  dreading  the  confequences  of  this 
piece  of  neglect,  immediately  fled  for  fafety  to  the 
grand  mofque  which  (lands  out  of  the  town. 

As  foon  as  the  news  was  announced  to  the  dey, 
he  ordered  men  to  be  (rationed  on  eminences 
with  fpy-glaflcs,  to  obferve  the  courfe  they  fleered; 
and  in  the  mean  time  a  Spaniih  built  boat,  a  fwift 
runner  (which  is  always  moored  near  the  feat  of 
the  vichelhadge  of  the  marine  to  be  in  readinefs 
upon  any  particular  emergency)  was  inflantly  or 
dered  to  purfue  them.  The  vichdhadge  manned 
the  boat  with  a  double  tire  of  pifcqrees,  or  rowers, 
and  that  they  might  purfue  them  with  greater  ex 
pedition  he  embarked  hiaifelf.  By  this  time  the 
fugitives  were  out  of  fight ;  but  the  pifcorees 
fleered  directly  towards  that  part  of  the  ocean 
where  they  had  difappeared,  The  vichelhadge, 
in  order  to  encourage  them  to  greater  exertions, 
frequently  threw  them  money,  and  they  rowed 
with  fuch  expedition  that  about  noon  they  over 
took  the  fugitives,  who  had  fo  completely  exhausted 

them- 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS,     257 

themfelves  in  their  endeavours  to  efcape,  that  they 
were  icarcely  able  to  move  their  oars.  As  loon  as 
their  purfuers  had  overtaken  them  they  fubmitted 
without  the  leaft  refinance,  and  paflively  refigned 
themfelves  to  the  fury  of  their  purfuers,  who  beat 
them  moft  unmercifully,  and  after  fecuring  them  in 
chains,  brought  them  back  to  the  city,  where  they 
arrived  about  four  o'clock  in  he  afternoon.  They 
were  immediately  taken  before  the  dey,  who  order 
ed  two  of  the  principals  to  be  executed :  and  they 
were  accordingly  led  to  the  fountain  in  front  of  the 
dey's  palace,  where  they  kneeled  down,  and  one  of 
the  dey's  guards  with  a  fharp  tahan  fevered  their 
heads  from  their  body. 

The  dey  obferved,that  had  a  greater  number  em 
barked  he  would  not  have  pretended  to  have  fent'in 
purfuit  of  them;  bat  he  naturally  concluded  that 
fo  finall  a  number  would  foon  exhaufl  themfelves. 

One  is  apt  naturally  to  arraign  their  impolicy  in 
taking  their  departure  with  fo  fi-nall  a  number.  13ut 
we  ought  to  reflect  uponths  great  difficulty  and  dan 
ger  of  detection  iis  affedling  an  efcape  of  this  na 
ture  ;  for  the  very  air  of  the  country  feerr-s  to  in- 
fpire  the  principles  of  villany  and  deception  ;  fcarcc- 
ly  any  fchenis  can  be  concerted  without  detedlio,;^ 
and  there  are  many  rnifcreants  of  ilaves  here,  who 
would  feel  no  remorfe  whatever  in  betraying  their 
moil  intimate  friends  for  a  trifling  reward. 

Montenegro,  though  he  was  pardoned  after  this 
event,  yet  he  forfeited  the  royal  favor,  and  was 
turned  out  of  office  ;  and  the  pintoons  have  finee 
been  fo  well  guarded  that  an  efcape  is  totally' 
impracticable. 

YO    ,  'ft 

2 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS, 


Spanifli  defperadc* 

THE  rnoft  turbulent  and  intemperate  flaves  iir 
Algiers  are  the  Spaniards,  who  go  armed  with  a 
dagger  or  long  knife, and  a  quarrel  with  each  other 
generally  terminates  in  affaffination* 

About  ten  o'clock  one  night,  after  the  Ameri 
can  flaves  had  retired  to  reft  in  the  Bagnio  Gal- 
laro,  a  violent  quarrel  happened  between  two  Spa 
niards,  which  made  fuch  an  uproar  in  the  bagnio, 
that  one  of  the  corporals,  or  guardians,  entered 
the  room  with  a  lantern  in  his  hand,  in  order  to 
quell  the  difturbance  ;  and  with  his  rope  he  fell  to 
beating  the  Spaniards  moft  unmercifully.  One  of 
them,  who  did  not*rclUh  the  chaftifement  very  well, 
defired  him  to  defift,  and  threatened  to  flab  him 
if  he  perfifted  in  beating  him  ;  which  fo  irritated 
the  corporal,  that  he  dealt  out  his  blows  more  fu 
rioufly  than  ever.  The  Spaniard  grown  outra 
geous  with  fuch  treatment,  drew  his  dagger  and 
gave  him  four  or  five  wounds,  of  which  he  inOant- 
iy  expired.  By  this  time  the  fecond  corporal  en 
tered  the  apartment,  and  as  he  entered,  the  defpe- 
rate  Spaniard  rufhed  furioufly  upon  him,  and  in 
attempting  to  ward  ofFthe  blow  he  received  a  wound 
in  his  arm  ;  upon  which  he  immediately  retreated, 
and  locked  himfelf  up  in  one  of  the  taverns  that 
Hand  near  the  bagnio* 

The  two  Spaniards  were  now  at  liberty  to  decide 
their  difpute,  and  they  rumed  furioufly  upon  each 
other  with  their  knives  ;  but  the  leaft  defperate 
of  the  two,  after  receiving  feveral  wounds,  made 
his  efcape,  and  left  his  antagonift  complete  maf- 
ter  of  the  bagnio.  He  now  paraded  the  paflage 

flouriftjinr: 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.     2^9 

flouriming  his  dagger,  and  threatening  venge* 
ance  to  any  one  who  mould  attempt  to  mo- 
left  him.  Of  five  or  fix  hundred  flaves  and  others 
who  refided  there  not  one  durft  approach  himr 
and  he  maintained  the  undifputed  poffeffion  of  the- 
paflage.  At  this  jun&ure  the  corporal  of  the  Bag 
nio  Baleck,  who  was  then  confined  by  ficknefs  in 
the  Spinilh  hofpital,  hallowed  to  him  from  hi> 
window,  and  ordered  him  to  put  up  his  knife  and 
go  to  bed  ;  but  the  Spaniard,  who  was  little  difpof- 
ed  to  obey  him,  challenged  him  with  the  mod 
abufive  language  to  come  down. 

In  the  mean  time  intelligence  of  this  uproar 
was  communicated  to  the  warden  of  the  bagnio, 
who  imagined  that  the  whole  body  of  flaves  had 
broken  loofe,  and  he  inftantly  came  armed  and  at 
tended  by  a  number  of  men  in  order  to  quell  the 
difturbance.  When  he  arrived  at  the  entrance 
into  the  bagnio,  he  commanded  the  Spaniard  in 
ftantly  to  fubmit  ;  but  he  was  now  grown  more 
furious  than  ever,  and  defied  the  whole  city.  Du 
ring  this  conference  one  of  his  own  countrymen 
ftolc  foftiy  up  behind  him  and  knocked  him  down 
with  a  club.  A  number  of  men  then  inftantly 
feized  him,  and  chained  him  to  the  wall,  where 
he  remained  till  the  next  morning,  when  he  was 
taken  before  the  dey,  where  he  received  fentence 
of  death,  and  in  a  few  minutes  after  his  head  was 
chopped  off  in  front  of  the  dey's  palace. 


DeteBion  of  a  Neapolitan  Jlave* 

A  certain  Neapolitan  who  kept  a  tavern  in  the 
fuburbs  of  the  city,  was  one  afternoon  difccvered  in 
company  with  a  Mocrim  woman,  by  feme  of  the 

dey's 


26o      DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS, 

dcy's  iifberos  or  fpies  who  chanced  to  ride  that 
v/ay.  Several  other  fiaves  who  happened  to  be  pre- 
lent  at  the  fame  time  fortunately  made  their  efcape; 
but  the  Neapolitan  flood  motionlefs  with  the  fudden 
furprize-  The  Iifberos  difmounted  and  infbntly 
feizcd  both  him  and  the  woman,  and  immediately 
carried  them  before  the  dey,  who  inftantly  palled 
fentence  of  death  upon  them  both.  Through  the  in- 
terceffion  of  feme  powerful  friends  the  fentence  paf- 
fed  upon  the  Neapolitan  was  remitted;  but  he  total 
ly  forfeited  the  privilege  of  keeping  a  tavern, and  af- 
ter  receiving  500  ftrokes  upon  different  parts  of  his 
body,  he  was  configned  to  hard  labour  among  the 
common  ilaves.  But  the  woman,  after  receiving 
Sentence,  was  immediately  carried  to  the  fea-fide  by 
two  executioners,  who  tied  a  large  bomb-flhell  round 
one  of  her  legs,  and  threw  her  into  the  fea  forne 
diftance  from  the  (hore,  in  the  prefencc  of  the  Ame 
rican  captives,  who  were  then  employed  in  the  rra- 
line.  She  made  the  mod  lamentable  cries,  and 
carneftly  entreated  her  executioners  to  permit  her 
to  take  leave  of  her  children  ;  but  they  were  deaf  • 
to  her  entreaties, 

Some  days  after,  by  fome  means  or  other,  the 
bomb-fheli  was  difengagcd  from  her  leg,  and  ihe 
floated  upon  the'  fur  face  of  the  water,  But  the  Ai- 
gerines  were  greatly  aflonilhed  when  they  found  ihe 
had  not  been  eaten  by  the  filh  ;  a  circumftance  fo 
extremely  fingular,  th^l  the  fuperftitious  Algerines 
regarded  it  as  miraculous,  and  ihe  was  in  confequence 
made  a  marabout,  and  ever  after  venerated  with  a 
kind  of  religious  enthufiafm. 

The  Jey's  indignation  was  fo  much  excited  at  the 
atrocity  of  this  interview,  that  he  decreed  that  in 
fuliire  all  thole  ilaves  and  Mooriih  women  who 

Should 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.      261. 

ftould  be  dete&ed  together,  fnould  be  chained  with 
their  backs  to  each  other  and  burnt. 


Dif appointment  of  the  American  Jlavcs* 

SOME  time  in  1795  an  Engliih  cutter  from  Gib- 
ralter  arrived  in  Algiers  with  a  number  of  fmaii 
pieces  of  brafs  cannon,  which  were  purchafed  by 
the  dey  and  carried  to  his  palace.  The  American 
flaves,  who  were  then  at  work  in  the  marine,  foon 
recognifed  feveral  perfons  of  their  former  acquain 
tance  among  the  crew  of  the  cutter.  A  general  inti 
macy  took  place,  and  they  fympathifed  fo  feelingly 
for  the  diflrefs  of  the  Americans,  that  a  fcheme 
was  concerted  among  them  to  effect  their  deliver 
ance  from  this  region  of  rnifery.  The  crew  deeply 
interefted  themfeives  in  the  accomplifhment  of  this 
project,  and  communicated  their  intentions  to  their 
captain,  who  perfectly  approved  of  their  plan,  and 
promifed  every  afliftance  in  his  power  to  facilitate 
their  defign. 

The  fcheme  devifed  between  the  parties  was  as- 
follows:  The  Americans  were  to  take  the  advan 
tage  of  the  firft  fair  wind,  and  in  either  going'to^ 
or  returning  from  their  labour  in  the  marine,  ac 
cording  as  the  wind  fhould  favor  them,  they  were 
to  take  pofleffion  of  the  Baleck  boats  which  tranf- 
ported  them,  and  inflantly  row  themfeives  on  board 
the  cutter  ;  which  being  a  very  fwift  failing  veflel 
would  foon  have  wafted  them  beyond  the  reach  of 
their  purfuers.  The  inftant  they  had  boarded  the 
cutter  they  were  to  take  pofleflion  of  her  apparently 
by  force,  and  the  Britifh  crew  were  to  affect  a  re- 
(Stance,  that  the  dey  might  entertain  no  fuipicion 
of  their  being  privy  to  the  ccnfpiracy, 

The 


*6z      DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

The  cutter  was  in  confequence  put  into  com 
plete  order,  and  the  neeeffary  inftru6tions  were 
given  that  they  might  caft  off  and  get  under  weigh1 
in  an  inftant. 

No  flaves  were    perhaps  ever  prefented  with  fen 
favorable  an  opportunity  as  the   prefent.     But  the 
moft  fingular  occurrence  imaginable  fruftrated   thej 
whole  fcheme,  when  it  was  upon  the  point  of  exe 
cution. 

The  captain  of  the  cutter,  on  the  day  of  theiH 
intended  departure,  went  tip  to  one  of  the  bagnios 
in  the  city,  were  he  accidentally  fell  in  company 
with  two  renegado  Irifhmen  of  his  acquaintance, 
who  were  dreffed,  as  ufual,  in  the  Turkiih  habit- 
It  was  refolved  of  courfe  to  celebrate  this  unexpec 
ted  interview  with  a  courfe  of  wine;  and  they  drank, 
till  they  were  all  pretty  well  intoxicated.  While 
they  were  in  this  animated  mood  they  found 
themfelves  fo  well  difpofed  for  adventures,  that 
one  of  the  renegados  made  a  propofal  to  viiit  fome 
of  the  Algerine  courtezans,  which  was  immediate 
ly  acceded  to,  and  our  captain,  who  was  not, 
as  may  well  be  fuppofed,  over  burthened  with  cir- 
cumfpeclion,  was  conducted  to  a  Mooridi  brothel 
in  the  upper  parts  of  the  city,  where  thefe  Iriih- 
men  had  previoufly  formed  an  acquaintance. 
Some  of  the  lifberos,  who  had  fufpefted  their  de~ 
figns,,  fecretly  watched  their  motions,  and  difcov- 
ered  the  retreat  of  our  frolicfome  adventurers.  Soon 
after  their  entry  thefe  iifberos  rufhed  into  the  bro 
thel,  and  furpriied  our  amorous  captain  and  hrs 
friends  in  the  height  of  their  mirth.  He  was  inflantly 
feized  and  carried  before  the  dey,  who  fentenced 
him  to  immediate  execution  ;  but  as  he  was  pre 
paring  to  receive  the  reward  of  his  folly,  the  Bn- 
tiih  conful,  who  had  received  intelligencex  of  the 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     163 

event,  interceded  in  his  behalf,  and  the  dey  re 
mitted  the  fentence,  upon  condition  that  he  inftant- 
ly  took  his  departure  from  Algiers.  In  confe- 
quence  he  was  efcorted  on  board  his  cutter,  which 
was  ordered  immediately  out  of  the  harbour,  and 
ftie  was  not  even  permitted  to  remain  to  take  in  the 
le^aft  ballaft. 

Thus  was  this  fcheme  mod  completely  defeated 
by  this    trivial  incident,  and  the    hopes  of  the  A- 
mericans    entirely     fruftrated.       When    they    faw 
the  departure   of  the  cutter,  and  were   informed  of 
the  captain's  folly,  they  were  thrown  into  a  ftate  of 
inconceivable    defpondency.     The  mod   fortunate 
breeze    imaginable  prevailed    when   they  returned 
from  the   marine;   but  inftead  of  triumphing  in  the 
pofleflion  of  their  liberties,  they  were  obliged  to  re 
tire  to  the  gloomy  cells  of  the  bagnio,  to  indulge  at 
leifure  the  poignancy  of  their  reflections. 

Thefe  renegados  were  afterwards  banifhed  to  Tu 
rns  ;  not  becaufe  their  intercourfe  with  the  Moorifh 
women  was  prohibited,  (for  the  renegados  are  not 
deprived  of  this  privilege)  but  becaufe  they  had 
been  acceflbry  to  an  infra&ion  of  the  law.  All  the 
Turks  were  greatly  rejoiced  at  this  event,  becaufe 
thefe  turbulent  Irifhmen  were  a  terror  to  all  that 
frequented  the  bagnios  and  other  public  places  in 
the  city. 


Flight  of  the  Spanijh  conful. 

A  FEW  weeks  before  the  American  captives  left 
Algiers  the  Spanifh  conful  fled  to  Spain,  through 
apprehenfion  of  affaffination  by  the  Spanifh  flaves. 
A  certain  muleteer  called  Yohan,or  Spanifh  John, 
who  was  employed  in  carrying  provificms  from  the 

city 


DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS. 

city  to  the  ilaves  at  Bubly  white,  quarrelled  with  the 
clerk.*,  in  confequence  of  his  neglect  in  the  pay 
ment  of  a  fum  of  money  which  he  had  lent  the  clerk. 
After  much  intemperate  and  abufive  language  the 
Spaniard  drew  his  knife  and  murdered  him  ;  and 
after  perpetrating  this  a£l  he  fled  to  the  city,  deter 
mined, as  his  cafe  was  defperate,tobe  revenged  upon 
the  Spanifh  conful  and  priefls  who  fuperintended  the 
hofpital,  as  he  imagined  them  to  be  the  caufe  of 
the  detention  of  the  Spanifh  flaves  in  Algiers  t- 

As  foon  as  he  arrived  in  town  he  went  to  the  con- 
furs  houfe,  who  fortunately  happened  to  be  abfent, 
and  from  thence  to  the  hofpital,with  an  intention  to 
murder  the  head  prieft,  who.,  he  was  informed,  was 
likewife  abfent ;  upon  which  he  went  into  one  of 
the  upper  apartments,  where  he  found  one  of  the  un 
der  priefts,  whom  he  ftabbed  in  four  or  five  places; 
and, then  retired  to  the  Bagnio  Gallaro,  where  he 
paraded  one  of  the  apartments  with  his  bloody  knife 
in  a  pofture  of  defence. 

In  the  mean  time  intelligence  of  the  death  of  the 
clerk  was   fent   to  town ;    whereupon   the   warden 
balhaw  fent  one  of  the  chief  corporals,  to  arreft  the 
murderer,  and  to  take  him  before  the  dey .  The  cor 
poral 

*  A  fcrivan*  or  clerk,  always  attends  the  flaves  at 
their  labour,  and  calls  over  their  names  at  Bubly  white 

every  night  and  morning. 

• 

•f  Many  of  thefe  flaves  are  criminals,  who  fly  from 
juftice  in  their  own  countrv  and  become  voluntary  (laves 
in  Algiers,  whom  the  Spaniih  government  refufes  to 
ranfom  ;  a  matter  which  they  impute  entirely  to  the  in 
fluence  of  their  conful  and  priefts?whom  they  fuppofe  to 
be  the  fole  caufe  of  their  flavery,  and  confequcntly  the/ 
are  ever  the  objects  of  their  hatred  and  indignation. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      265 

poral  enquired  his  motive  in  committing  fuch  an 
atrocious  a£t,  and  Yohan  anfwered  him  very  com- 
pofedly,  that  his  intent  was  to  be  revenged  upon  the 
con/til  and  priefts.  He  alleged,  that  they  had 
appropriated,  to  their  own  private  purpofes,  all  the 
monies  that  had  been  fent  by  the  Spanifh  govern 
ment  for  the  ranfom  of  the  Spaniards,  and  he 
aflured  the  corporal  that  a  confpiracy  was  formed 
among  the  ilaves,  and  though  he  had  failed,  yet 
others  would  fucceed  in  accomplifhing  their  deflruc- 
tion. 

After  this  conversation  Yohan  furrenJered  him- 
feif  a  prifoner.  The  corporal  bound  him,  and  im 
mediately  conducted  him  to  the  palace,  where  he 
was  executed. 

When  the  exigence  of  this  confpiracy  was  an 
nounced  to  the  conful  and  priefts,  they  embarked 
on  board  a  Spanifh  veffel  in  great  confternation,and 
iet  fail  from  Algiers  in  the  height  of  the  plague. 
After  attempting  to  land  at  Carthagena,  Alicant, 
and  other  ports  of  Spain,  where  they  were  refufed 
admiffion,  they  fleered  for  the  ifland  of  Minorca, 
where  the  conful  was  under  the  neceffity  of  being 
landed  naked  upon  a  rock.  Proviiions  and  cloth 
ing  were  furniihed  him,  and  a  hut  was  built  for  his 
accommodation,  where  he  was  confined  till  he  was 
adjudged  to  be  out  of  danger  of  the  infeflion  ;  after 
which  he  arrived  in  Spain,  and  thus  efcapcd  the  me 
ditated  vengeance  of  the  Spaniih  Ilaves.  After  beat 
ing  about  the  Mediterranean  for  nearly  a  month,  the 
priefU  arrived  at  Mar  failles  about  two  weeks  after 
the  Americans,  where  ^they  were  obliged  to  per 
form  quarantine  for  the  fpace  of  a  hundred  days. 

The 


266    DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS* 


The  Renegade* 

THE  renegades  are  fuch  as  relinquifh  their  own 
religion  and  embrace  the  Mahometan  faith  ;  but  this 
clais  of  men  have  of  Jate  betrayed  fo  much  villany, 
that  they  fuftain  the  moft  indifferent  cbara&ers  of 
any  people  in  Algiers.  This  will  not  appear  fingu- 
lar  when  we  confider  that  thefe  apoftates  are  gene 
rally  fuch  as  fly  from  juftice  in  their  own  country  ; 
and  befides,  none  but  the  moft  abandoned  Chriftian 
would  renounce  his  religion  for  the  fallacy  of  Ma- 
hometanifm. 

It  is  no  wonder  then  that  fo  little  encouragement 
ihould  be  given  to  this  order  of  men,  and  though  the 
Mahometans  formerly  confidered  the  converiicn  cf 
Chriftian  flaves  as  the  meft  meritorious  a£r,  yet  at 
prefent  it  is  perhaps  totally  impracticable  for  a  Have 
to  change  his  religion,^  becaufe  in  fuch  cafes  the 
government  is  deprived  both  of  their  labour  and  the 
benefit  of  their  ranforn. 

The  prefent  number  of  renegades  in  Algiers  Is 
very  fmall.  After  they  are  initiated  into  the  pro- 
fefficn  of  their  new  faith,  they  officiate  in  the  ca- 
zarees  in  the  capacity  of  Turkifh  fcldiers,  and  are 
Admitted  to  the  participation  of  fimilar  privileges  ; 
but  they  are  prohibited  frcm  leaving  the  kingdom  of 
Algiers  under  penalty  of  death,  and  are  never  de 
livered  up  upon  the  demand  of  their  nation. 

Not  long  fince  the  captain  of  a  French  privateer, 
that  had  brought  an  Englifh  prize  into  Algiers; 
flogged  a  Genoefe  la i lor  who  had  been  (hipped  on 
beard  the  privateer.  The  Genoefe  in  confequence 
was  fo  exafperated,  that  he  made  his  efcape  from  the 
velTel,  and  went  to  one  of  the  marabouts  with  a  de 
termination  to  abjure  his  religion \  to  vvlicrn  hefo  ex 
aggerated 


DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS.      267 

aggerated  the  cruelty  of  the  Chriftians,  that  he  was 
admitted  into  the  order  of  the  prophet. 

After  a  refidence  of  two  months  in  Algiers  an 
Englifh  frigate  arrived  with  difpatches  to  the  BritHh 
conful,  and  our  renegado,  difgufted  with  his  new 
fituation,  and  regretting  the  renunciation  of  his  re 
ligion,  was  refolved  to  efcape  on  board  the  frigate. 
Accordingly  he  went  down  to  the  (ho re  one  morn 
ing  as  foon  as  the  port  of  the  marine  was  opened, 
and  dripped  himfelf  in  order  to  fwim  on  board.  But 
after  feveral  ineffectual  attempts,  he  was  discovered 
by  the  vichelhadge  of  the  marine,  with  only  his 
handkerchief  tied  round  his  middle.  He  was  im 
mediately  feized  and  brought  into  the  fkirF,  where 
he  received  feveral  hundred  blows  ,*  after  which  he 
was  conducted  to  the  palace  where  he  was  executed. 


The  MulcUcr* 

>  • 

THE  cellars,  or  lower  apartments  of  the  houfes 
of  the  Algerines  are  converted  into  ftables,  and 
'heir  horfes  and  mules  pafs  through  the  fame  door 
with  the  family  ;  and  the  fame  arrangements  are 
made  even  in  the  palace,  where  foreign  confuls, 
agents,  vifitors,  horfes,  mules,  aiTes  and  the  dey  of 
Algiers,  all  pafs  through  the  fame  door,  where 
two  Turkifh  foldiers  are  ftationed  with  a  red  llafF 
to  guard  the  paffage. 

Not  long  before  the  arrival  of  the  Americans  in 
Algiers,  a  certain  Spanilh  muleteer,  who  had  been 
employed  in  carrying  out  the  dirt  of  the  palace  in 
bafkets  fufpended  at  each  fide  of  the  mule,  by  fomc 
means  or  other  had  procured  a  key,  by  which  he  could 
unlock  the  door  of  the  treafury,  which  is  kept  in  the 
palace,  where  immenfe  quantities  of  gold  arid  fil- 

ver 


268      DESCRIPTION    OF    ALGIERS* 

ver  are  depofited.  Whenever  this  muleteer  was 
ordered  to  the  palace  he  filled  the  lower  part  of  his 
bafkets  with  money,  and  covered  it  with  dirt ;  and 
thus  pafled  undetected,  till  he  had  by  this  means  ' 
ranfomed  feveral  of  his  countrymen.  But  his  ava-  I 
rice  iricreafed  with  his  riches  ;  and  one  day  when 
he  was  fent  to  remove  the  rubbifh  of  the  palace,  he 
fiole  into  the  treafury  as  ufual,  and  carried  away  , 
f'uch  an  enormous  load,  that  in  patting  through  (he  > 
court  the  great  weight  of  the  gold  burfted  the  bottom 
of  one  of  the  bafkets,  and  the  money  fell  down  upon 
the  marble  pavement  with  luch  anoife  that  it  refoun- 
ded  through  ail  he  palace.  A  great  uproar  enfued, 
and  the  poor  muleteer  ftood  petrified  with  allonifh- 
tiient.  The  Turki(h  guards  inftantly  feized  him 
and  carried  him  before  the  dey,  where  he  was 
iiriftly  examined  ;  but  he  would  neither  betray 
his  accomplices,  nor  difcover  the  place  where 
he  had  concealed  his  treafure.  His  punifhment,  as 
may  naturally  be  fuppofed,  was  the  lofs  of  his 
head  ;  and  fhortly  after  his  death  a  part  of  the  mo 
ney  he  had  purloined  was  found  in  the  walls  of  the 
Bagnio  Baleck,  and  a  confiderable  quantity  was 
buried  without  the  town,  where  he  had  carried  the 
dirt  of  the  palace* 

Since  this  accident  the  doors  of  the  treafury  can 
only  be  opened  by  three  keys,  which  are  feveraliy 
kept  by  the  dey,  the  caflan-ajee,  and  the  aga,  and 
no  money  can  betaken  from  thence  without  their 
joint  attendance. 


Anecdote  of  an  American  lad* 

IT  is  impofiible  to  conceive    the  confternation 
that  always  prevails  among   the  flaves   in   the  pa 
lace. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALG  IE  R  S.     269 

lace.  Every  one  is  in  continual  apprehenfion  of 
lofing  his  life,  and  when  any  order  is  given,  it  is 
executed  with  the  greatert  terror  and  expedition 
imaginable. 

Among  the  number  of  the  dey's  fervants  were 
two  lads,  the  one  an  American  and  the  other  a 
Spaniard,  uho  perfonally  attended  the  dey  in  the 
upper  apartments  of  the  palace,  and  had  the  charge 
of  his  wardrobe.  The  Spanifh  lad,  conceiving  forns 
enmity  againft  the  American,  concerted  a  fcheme1 
to  be  revenged  upon  him. 

One  morning  .the  dey,  intending  to  ride  out  to 
his  country  feat,  ordered  the  American  lad  in  a 
great  hurry  to  bring  him  a  fhirt*.  The  lad  ran 
inflaritly  into  the  wardrobe,  where  he  met  the  Spa- 
niih  boy,  who  gave  him  a  fhirt  without  an  opening 
in  the  top,  and  he  being  in  too  great  a  hurry  to 
examine  it,  carried  it  immediately  to  the  dey,  who 
by  this  time  Mood  naked  to  receive  it ;  but  in  at 
tempting  to  put  it  on,  it  became  fo  entangled  about 
his  head  that  he  could  fcarcely  difengage  himfelf  ; 
and  apprehending  that  a  confpiracy  was  formed 
againft  his  life,  he  fcreamed  out  with  the  greateft 
terror  imaginable-  As  foon  as  he  had  difentangled 
himfelf  he  feized  his  tahan,  and  ran  naked  out  of 
the  room  to  murder  the  boy,  who  fled  for  refuge 
into  a  diftant  apartment.  The  dey  hallowed  to 
him  with  the  moft  vengeful  tone  of  voice  to  return  ; 
upon  which  the  boy  carne  before  him  trembling  and 

terrified 

*  The  fhirts  that  are  worn  by  the  A'gerLes  zr?  it 
from  the  Levant.  They  are  made  of  muflin,  and 
formed  fomethinj  like  iacks  without  openings  at  top, 
which  are  made  to  fair  the  convenience  of  the  v/Cwic-j; 
after  they  are  brought  to  Algiers. 

Z    2 


270     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS, 

terrified  half  to  death,  entirely  ignorant  of  the 
caufe  that  had  fo  much  excited  the  dey's  indigna 
tion.  By  this  time  his  paffion  had  a  little  fubfided, 
and  inftead  of  murdering  the  boy,  he  beat  him  fo 
unmercifully  with  a  rope,  that  it  was  neceffary  to  con 
vey  him  to  the  hofpital,  where  he  was  confined  for 
a  week  ;  after  which  he  was  employed  in  the  low 
er  apartments  of  the  palace  among  the  inferior  claf- 
fes  of  fervants. 


An  expedition  to  gather  cant* 

ONCE  .in  every  year  all  the  flaves  are  ordered  into 
the  country  to  cut  cane,  which  generally  hap 
pens  on  the  firft  Friday  in  January,  and  this  cane  is 
ufed  for  the  purpofe  of  lathing  their  houfes. 

The  gd  of  January  1794,  was  the  firfl  time 
that  the  American  captives  went  out  upon  one  of 
thefe  cane-gathering  expeditions*  The  part  of  the 
country  to  which  they  were  ordered,  lies  about  a 
league  beyond  the  gate  of  Bubazoon.  Here  they  tra- 
verfed  a  nuraber  of  cane  fields  without  any  permiffion 
from  the  owners,  and  each  flave, after  having  collec 
ted  two  bundles  as  large  as  he  could  carry,  repaired 
with  them  to  a  particular  enclosure,  which  was  ap 
pointed  as  the  place  of  general  rendezvous,  where 
the  vichelhadge  of  the  marine,  the  warden  baihaw, 
and  other  wardens  attended  on  horfeback.  An  en 
tertainment  was  provided  at  the  expence  of  the  icri- 
van  grandee,  or  head  clerk  of  the  dey,  and  the 
warden  bafhaw  obliged  the  tavern  keepers  to  fend  a 
fupply  of  wine  for  the  occafion.  All  provifions, 
wines,  and  other  articles  neceffary  for  the  entertain 
ment,  were  brought  out  by  the  muleteers  in  bafkets. 
Upon  a  part  of  the  cnclpfure  feparats  from  thefia'ves, 

the 


DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS.     271 

the  vichelhadge,  the  warden  bafhaw,  and  the  other 
wardens  fat  crofs  legged  upon  napkins,  and  their  food 
was  ferved  up  to  them  in  earthern  plates, which  were 
placed  upon  the  ground  before  them.  After  rega 
ling  themfelves,  a  fervant  poured  water  upon  their 
hands  and  they  retired  ;  and  the  flaves  were  then 
permitted  to  take  their  feats  upon  a  different  part  of 
the  enclofure,  where  a  number  of  wooden  bowls 
were  placed,  filled  with  vinegar  and  oil,  in  which 
they  foaked  their  bread,  and  with  this  coarfe  diet 
finiihed  their  repail.  After  this  the  muleteer  dif- 
tributed  the  wine  among  them,  without  any  kind  of 
order.  All  thofe  who  had  neglected  to  provide  them- 
felves  with  veilels,  received  no  (hare,  which  was  the 
misfortune  of  the  Americans  ;  but  the  old  flaves 
took  care  to  furnifh  themfelves  with  a  number  of 
horns  and  bottles  for  the  occafion. 

This  feaft  terminated  at  the  found  of  a  trumpet. 
All  the  (laves  then  mouldered  their  bundles,  and 
marched  in  files  up  to  the  gardens  of  the  aga  and 
cafian-ajee,  which  were  upon  the  top  of  a  high 
mountain, where  they  depofited  at  each  garden  about 
50  or  60  of  thefe  bundles,  and  the  remainder  were 
taken  to  the  dey's  gardens,  which  lie, at  the  diftance 
of  about  three  miles,  upon  another  quarter  of  the 
town  ;  from  whence  they  repaired  to  the  bagnios, 
and  thus  terminated  the  labour  of  the  day. 


Diftribution  of  clothing- 

The  Friday  immediately  fueceeding  this  exnr- 
tion  was  the  day  appointed  for  diftributing  clothing 
to  the  Haves,  which  happens  only  once  in  every 
year.  It  is  a  day  of  general  feftivity,  and  all  the 
ilaves  are  exempted  from  labour.  Early  in  fne 

morning 


272     DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS. 

morning  on  this  day,  they  were  drawn  up  in  two 
files  in  a  court  adjoining  the  palace,  where  the 
vichelhadge,  and  a  number  of  his  attendan  ts  Served 
out  to  each  flave  in  order  a  fuit  of  clothes  in  the 
Turkilh  fafhion,  rolled  up  in  a  fmali  bundle. 
This  fuit  confifted  of  a  pair  of  (hort  woolen  trow- 
iers,  and  a  jacket  ibmewhat  in  the  form  of  a  fack, 
without  either  buttons  or  fleeves  ;  a  coarfe  linen 
(hirt  with  fhort  fleeves,  and  a  pair  of  pampoofes,  or 
fhoes  made  of  yellow  leather.  During  the  diftri- 
bution,  the  dey  prefented  hl'rnfelf  from  an  upper 
apartment,  and  looked  down  upon  them  with  a  Mead- 
fad  countenance,  and  without  the  leaft  change  of 
pofture  during  the  whole  time.  As  foon  ^s  they 
were  withdrawn  from  the  court, great  numbersof  Jew 
ish  and  Moorifh  chapman  appeared,  to  whom  many  of 
the  flaves  fold  their  whole  fuit  forlefs  than  a  fequin, 
in  order  to  raife  a  iittle  money  for  the  purpofe  of  cele 
brating  the  day.  Thus  would  many  of  thefe  poor 
wretches,  for  the  fake  of  a  momentary  gratification, 
go  nearly  naked  all  the  year,  and  truft  to  the  gent> 
rofity  of  others  for  a  iupply. 

The  Americans  bound  in  chains* 

THOUGH  Mr.  Barlow  was  highly  efteemed  by 
the  Amercan  captives  for  his  benevolence,  affability, 
and  anremitted  exertions  to  procure  their  freedom, 
yet  it  feems  that  Mr.  Dona  Id  (on,  who  was  of  an  au- 
ftere  difpofition,  was  not  equally  theobjeft  of  their 
efteem;  and  an  occurrence  took  place  that  procured 
him  the  irreconcileable  hatred  of  all  the  American 
captives. 

After  he  had  refided  nearly  nine  months  in  Al 
giers,  waiting  for  the  neceffary  fums  to  carry  the 
treaty  into  eitCwt,  the  Americans,  who  had  become 

extremely  . 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     273 

extremely  impatient  at  the  delays,  waited  upon  him 
one  morning  in  a  body,  and  requefted  a  definitive 
anfwer,  whether  there  was  any  expe&ation  that  they 
would  ever  be  releafed  from  flavery  ?  But  inftead  of 
deigning  an  affable  reply  to  a  fet  of  men  grown 
frantic  with  their  misfortunes  and  the  gloomy  an 
ticipation  of  being  enflaved  for  life,  after  foftering  the 
pleafing  hope  of  a  fpeedy  deliverance,  he  bade  them, 
in  an  imperious  tone  of  voice,  to  begone  immediately 
from  his  lodgings,  or  he  would  find  means  to  com 
pel  them. 

Irritated  by  fuch  hauteur  of  condu6l  in  the 
American  agent;  they  became  very  turbulent,  and 
-  anfwered  him,  that  they  would  not  depart  till  they 
had  received  fome  information  upon  the  fubje&. 
But  Mr.  Donaldibn,  was  not  to  be  intimidated 
into  an  explanation,  and  lodged  information  in  the 
marine  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Americans,  who 
immediately  difperfed  ;  and  in  confequence  of 
fuch  conduct  in  an  irritable  agent,  they  were  load 
ed  with  heavy  chains  for  the  fpace  of  three  weeks; 
till  the  Swediih  conful's  brother,  who  was  actuated 
by  a  little  more  humanity,  interceded  in  their  be 
half,  and  procured  their  releafe. 

Thus  we  often  meet  with  men  whofe  hearts  are 
fo  delicately  impreffed  with  the  fofter  dilates  of 
philanthropy,  that  they  are  ever  ready  to  extend 
their  benevolence  to  all  mankind  ;  while  others, 
without  the  lead  emotion,  would  fubjecl  their  own 
countrymen  to  chains  and  mifery.  But  ;we  may 
obferve  perhaps  by  way  of  apology,  that  Mr.  Do- 
naldfon's  frequent  indifpoiition  might  have  been 
the  caufe  of  his  petulancy  towards  his  countrymen. 
At  his  arrival  in  Algiers  he  was  fo  much  afflicted 
with  ..the  gout  that  he  was  obliged  to  be  fupported 

as 


274    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

as  he  walked,  aad  was  fubje£t  to  other   infirmities 
during  his  refidence  there. 


Succe/fton  o 

THE  vichelhadge  of  the  marine  who  presided 
previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  Americans,  was  fent 
to  the  Levant  with  a  confiderable  quantity  of 
money,  to  build  a  rnofque  in  honor  of  the  dey. 
But  the  vefifel  in  which  he  failed  was  never  heard 
of  afterwards,  and  it  was  fuppofed  that  this  trea- 
fure  had  tempted  the  crew  to  murder  him. 

After  his  departure  the  Baleck  Balhaw  officiated 
in  his  place,  till  the  dey  lofing  all  hopes  of  his 
return,  elefted  on^  of  his  relations  to  this  office* 
who  had  lately  corne  from  the  Levant  with  a  new 
frigate  as  a  prefent  to  him.  In  confequence  of  this 
election,  the  Spaniih  conful,  who  occupied  the  houfe 
of  the  former  vichelhadga*after  his  abfence,refigned 
it  to  the  new  vichelhadge,  and  it  was  repaired 
for  his  reception. 

While  fome  of  the  Moorifh  mafons  were  enga- 
gaged  in  removing  the  old  pavement  in  one  of  the 
lower  apartments,they  difcovercd  a  chefl  of  money, 
containing  feveral  thoufand  dollars,  fuppofed  to 
have  been  depofned  there  by  Cedelli,  a  former 
vichelhadge.  This  cheft  thefe  very  honed  Moors 
conveyed  to  the  dey,  who  (till  entertained  fo  ftrong 
an  enmity  againft  Cedelli,  that  he  refufed  to  ac 
cept  any  thing  belonging  to  him  ;  but  ilTued  orders 
that  it  fhould  be  distributed  among  the  officers  of 
the  marine,  the  Moorifli  carpenters,  and  the 
ilaves. 

The  new  vichelhadge  refembled  none  of  his  pre- 
in  ferocity  of  difpofition.     He  was  a  man 

of 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.     27$ 

of  great  fcnfibility,  and  fo  little  calculated  for  this 
boifierous  employment,  that  he  rcfigned  his  office 
within  a  month  after  his  election  ;  and  another 
vichelhadge  was  chofen  fhortly  after  the  Americans 
left  Algiers. 


Anecdote  of  an  American  Hack, 

IT  is  cuftomary  whenever  the  flaves  have  fin ifhed 
the  careening  of  the  cruizers,  to  fire  three  guns  from 
one  of  the  cailles,  as  a  iignal  for  her  to  take  in  her 
ballad,  guns,  and  other  neceffary  articles  for  a 
cruife.  At  this  time  the  vichelhadge  of  the  veflel, 
at  the  captain's  expence,  prepares  an  entertainment 
for  the  flaves.  A  quantity  of  rice,  mafhed  wheat, 
and  three  or  four  fheep  are  boiled  together  in  a  large 
copper  kettle  on  the  mole.  The  mutton  is  generally 
diftributed  among  the  Mocrifh  carpenters  and  caulk 
ers,  and  the  kettle  with  the  cuzcuz  is  then  taken  on 
board  the  veflel,  where  it  is  ferved  out  to  the 
Moors  and  flaves  with  a  long  iron  ladle. 

One  day, after  careening  a  veffel  and  bringing  tlie 
kettle  aboard,  a  great  number  of  the  Moors  and 
Haves  thronged  round  to  receive  their  ihare,  and 
among  the  reft  an  American  black  named  Scipio. 
While  a  general  competition  for  being  ferved  firft 
prevailed,  one  of  the  Americans  took  Scipio  by  the 
heels,  and  pitched  him  head  foremoft  into  the  kettle, 
where  he  remained  till  one  of  the  Mcors  dragged 
him  out.  A  great  laughter  fucceeded,  and  peer 
Scipio  received  no  other  injury  than  that  of 
being  well  white  walhed  with  cuzcuz.  This  occur- 
icncedid  not,  however,  difcourage  the  company  from 
eating,  and  it  is  faid  that  a  part  of  this  cuzcuz  was 
afterwards  fent  to  the  dey* 

Spanifh 


*7«     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 


Spanijli  deferter. 

A  SPANIARD,  by  the  name  of  Mooris,  who  de* 
ferted  from  a  Spanifh  veiTel  at  Oran,  was  brought 
to  Algiers  by  the  Moors,  where  he  was  made  a 
flave,  till  the  Spanifh  conful  interceded  for  him  and 
procured  his  liberty.  He  received  him  into  his 
houfe,  where  he  was  well  treated,  and  promifed 
that  he  fhould  return  to  Spain  by  the  firft  veflel  that 
arrived  at  Algiers.  But  the  Spaniard,  neither  ac 
tuated  by  gratitude  for  the  favors  conferred  upon 
him,  nor  a  defire  to  return  home,  ftole  one  of  the 
conful's  horfes  and  a  considerable  furn  of  money, 
and  with  this  booty  he  took  his  departure  into  the 
mountains  among  the  Moors,  where  he  remained 
fome  months,  till  his  money  was  all  expended  ; 
after  which  they  brought  him  to  town  and  took  him 
before  the  dey,  who  fentenced  him  to  receive  fe- 
veral  hundred  blows;  and  the  was  then  appointed 
to  the  office  of  buffi  dor e>  or  bellows-blower  in  the 
blackfmith's  (hop  on  the  mole,  where  he  continued 
till  the  plague  in  1796  releafed  him  from  bondage. 


The  effefls  of  jcalcufy. 

No  people  in  the  world  are  addicted  to  fuch  in 
temperate  jealoufy  as  the  Turks,  and  this  will  not 
appear  ilngular  when  we  confider  that  all  intercourfe 
between  the  fexes  is  prohibited  before  marriage ;  hence 
il  rarely  happens  that  a  woman  obtains  the  object 
of  her  afFedlions,  and  a  Turk  when  he  finds  himfelf 
unable  to  excite  the  efteem, becomes  more  cautious  in 
fecuring  the  perfon  of-  his  wife  ;  but  all  this  rigour 
ferves  only  as  a  ilimulus  to  incontinence,  and  in 

confequence 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.     277 

confequence  the  fpirit  of  intrigue  is  fo  prevalent 
among  the  women,  that  frequently  in  the  abfence 
cf  their  hufbands,  they  fend  their  confidants  into 
the  ftreets  to  im*?e  Grangers  into  their  houfes,  for 
the  purpofe  of  indulging  an  illicit  love. 

One  of  the  wives  of  the  captain  of  the  port,  or 
agent  in  the  marine,  who  prefided  previous  to  the 
arrival  of  the  Americans,  happened  to  fall  in  love 
with  a  young  Couloly,  whom  fhe  frequently  faw 
paffing  and  repaffing  in  the  ftreets.  As  the  Turk 
was  engaged  the  principal  part  of  the  day  in  the 
marine,  it  afforded  the  Couloly  a  moft  favorable 
opportunity  for  frequent  interviews,  and  he  con 
tinued  this  amorbus  correfpondence,  till  fome  inti 
mation  of  it  was  whifpered  to  the  hufband,  who 
hired  two  Moorifh  fpies, to  keep  watch  near  his  houfe 
in  his  abfence. 

After  continuing  their  watch  a  few  hours  the 
Couloly  made  his  appearance,  and  entered  the 
houfe;  upon  which  intelligence  was  immediately 
conveyed  to  the  Turk,  who  hafiened  with  all  ex 
pedition  from  the  marine,  boiling  with  revenge  a- 
gainft  his  rival,  whom  he  dete&ed  in  the  paffage 
tf  his  houfe.  An  immediate  confli&  cnfued,  and 
the  Couloly,  after  receiving  feveral  flight  wounds, 
made  his  efcape.  The  Turk  then  feized  his  wife 
by  the  neck,  and  as  an  expiation  for  the  crime  of 
which  he  had  fuppofed  her  guilty,  he  choaked  her 
to  death* 

When  the  dey  received  intelligence  of  thrs  tranf- 
a&ion  he  inftituted  a  ftri&  enquiry  into  the  matter. 
He  acknowledged  the  right  of  the  Turks  to  put 
their  wives  to  death  ;  they  being  confidered  as 
merely  the  property  of  their  hufbands  ;  but  when 
it  appeared,  upon  examination,  that  the  woman 

v/as 


273     DESCRIPTION    OF   ALGIERS. 

was  in  a  ftate  ©f  pregnancy  at  her  death,  he  was 
violently  enraged,  and  obferved,  that  though  the 
Turk  might  exerciie  this  privilege  with  impunity 
upon  his  wife,  yet  he  had  no  power  whatever  over 
the  life  of  the  infant.  In  confequence  of  this  crime 
he  was  excluded  from  his  office  ;  but  he  was  after 
wards  promoted  to  the  command  of  a  cruifer,  by 
whom  captain  M'Shane  and  his  crew  were  .cap-* 
tured. 


Neapolitan  confpiracy* 

The  Haves  of  Algiers  are  generally  Spaniards, 
Portuguefe,  Genoefe,  Neapolitans  and  ethers,  whofc 
nations  are  at  war  with  this  regency.  Some  of  thefe 
ilaves  have  been  confined  40  years  in  Algiers,  where 
they  have  endured  every  calamity  that  can  be  in 
flicted  on  human  nature. 

About  40  years  ago  a  fcherr.e  was  concerted  be-  • 
tween  aboi>t,  50  Neapolitans  and  150  Turks,  to 
make  their  efcape  to  Algiers,  where  they  fuppofed 
they  would  be  highly  rewarded  for  effecting  the  de 
liverance  of  fuch  a  number  of  Turks,  According 
ly  after  murdering  the  officers  and  crew,  and  taking 
poffedion  of  a  Neapolitan  galley,  they  iet  fail  and 
arrived  fafely  in  Algiers,  where  they  were  for  fome 
time  highly  careiTed  by  the  Turks,  till  the  king  of 
Naples  fent  to  the  dey,  and  defired  that  he  might 
make  Haves  of  them.  This  requeft  was  readily 
complied  with,  and  fome  of  thefe  wretched  Neapo 
litans  are  ftill  flaves  in  Algiers. 


Avarice 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS,     2/9 

dvaricc  of  the  former  dty* 

The  former  dey  of  Algiers,  whofe  name,  if  I 
roiftake  not,  was  Mahomet  Bafhaw,  was  the  rnoft 
miferly  dey  that  ever  reigned.  It  is  faid  that  his 
avarice  Jncreafed  with  his  age  to  fuch  a  degree,  that 
he  would  amufe  himfelf  in  hunting  for  aipers  *  In 
the  (Ireets,  which  he  would  take  up  on  the  ends  of 
his  fingers  moiftened  with  fpittle. 

In  changing  his  clothes  one  day,  he  happened 
to  leave  a  few  of  thefe  afpers  in  his  apartment, 
which  the  captain  Proor  f  of  the  palace  took  the 
liberty  of  converting  to  his  own  ufe,  not  fuppofing 
that  fc  trifling  a  fum  belonged  to  the  fovereign  of 
Algiers.  But  the  dey  was  greatly  exafperated 
when  he  miffed  his  afpers,  and  upon  examination 
it  was  found  that  they  had  been  purloined  by  the 
captain  Proor,  who  in  confequence  loft  his  head. 


Naval  expeditions* 

after  captain  O'Brien's  arrival  in  Al- 
Hall,  belonging  to  his  crew,  who 
was  ari^P^Weaman,  was  raifed  to  the  office  of  por- 
tezero,  or  boatfwain  in  a  cruifer,  formerly  a  French 
frigate,  which  went  out  upon  acruifeagainft  the  Ne 
apolitans, 

*  An  afper  is  a  fmall  thin  piece  of  fquare  tin  lefs  than 
a  penny  in  value. 

•f  The  captain  Proor  is  the  head  fweeper,  and  accor 
ding  to  cuftom  he  is  always  fet  at  liberty  whenever  a 
peace  is  concluded  with  any  nation. 


2:0     DESCRIPTION   OF   ALGIERS. 

apolltens.  Great  preparations  had  been  made,  and 
the  dey  promifed  hirnfelf  great  fuccefsin  this  expedi 
tion,  in  which  his  whole  fleet  let  fail.  Some  days 
after  they  left  Algiers  the  frigate  fell  in  with  a  Nea 
politan  cruifer,  and  a  fmart  engagement  enfued,  in 
winch  the  frigate  foon  firuck  to  the  Neapolitans* 
An  Algerine  xebeck  which  happened  to  be  in  com 
pany,  ineared  off  when  ihe  faw  the  fate  of  the  fri 
gate.  The  Neapolitans  did  not  think  proper  to 
purfue  her  ;  but  after  taking  out  all  the  beft  hands, 
from  the  frigate,  and  putting  them  on  board  their 
own  cruifer,  they  flood  in  for  Naples  with  their 
prize.  Towards  evening  they  became  nearly  be 
calmed,  and  the  Algerine  xebeck  in  confequence 
deemed  this  a  favorable  opportunity  for  recovering 
the  frigate.  Accordingly  the  crew  were  ordered  to 
their  o:irs,  and  fhe  immediately  bore  d6"wn  upon  the 
prize :  upon  which  the  men  who  had  charge  of  her, 
finding  they  were  in  danger  of  being  overhauled, 
took  to  their  boats,  after  fetting  fire  to  a  match  by 
which  they  intended  to  blow  her  up  ;  but  fome  of 
the  old  Moors  who  were  left  on  board,  broke  loofe 
from  their  confinement,  and  prevented  the  explofion; 
loon  after  which  fhe  was  re-captured  by  the  xebeck, 
and  carried  into  Bona  for  the  purpofe«<ef Deceiving 
ihe  neceiTary  repairs. 

Though  the  Neapolitans  by  this  unfortunate  event 
loft  the  frigate,  yet  they  fecured  the  crew,  and  car 
ried  them  to  Naples  where  they  were  made  flaves. 
After  the  return  of  the  xebeck,  Mr.  Donaidibn 
wrote  to  Naples  in  Hall's  behalf,  who  was  foon  af 
ter  liberated  and  entered  on  board  an  Eagliih 
frigate. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  Algerine  fleet  the  dey 
was  mod  violently  exafperated  at  the  lofs  of  the 
Algerine  crew  j  immediate  preparations  were  made 

for 


I 

DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      281 

for  another  expedition,  and  the  cruifers  were  pro- 
mifed  an  extraordinary  reward  for  every  Neapoli 
tan  they  mould  take.  But  after  fcouring  the  Medi 
terranean  for  feveral  weeks,  they  only  captured  a 
few  Neapolitan  and  Maltefe  boats,  which  were 
bound  to  Sicily  ;  the  crews  of  which  were  carried 
to  Algiers  and  made  flaves. 


Departure  of  the  Americans  from  Algiers* 

THE  principal  part  of  the  Neapolitan  flaves 
were  exchanged  for  Turks  at  the  time  the  Ameri 
can  captives  were  ranfomed,  and  embarked  with 
the  Auiericcins  in  the  (hip  La  Fortune,  under  the 
command  of^captain  Calder,  which  was  originally 
dellined  for  Leghorn, 

From  the  nth  to  the  1 3th  of  July  1796,  they 
were  engaged  in  making  the  necedary  preparations 
for  their  voyage.  The  13111  in  the  evening  they 
hauled  out  into  the  harbour,  and  on  the  I4th  in 
the  morning  they  prepared  to  get  under  weigh* 
At  this  time  a  frefh  wefterly  breeze  prevailed,  and 
owing  to  fome  neglect  in  bracing  the  yards,  the 
ihip  was  very  n-ar  being  driven  ftern  foremoft  up 
on  the  rocks  near  Porta  Pifcou,  which  obliged 
them  to  let  go  their  anchor  immediately  ;  upon 
which  the  captain  of  the  port  came  aboard  In  a 
great  rage,  and  ilruck  captain  Calder  feveral  blows; 
called  him  a  fans  fur&eda,  and  ailed  him  how 
he  dared  to  get  under  weigh  before  he  carne.  The 
veils!  was  then  warped  up  to  the  mole,  and  a  num 
ber  of  the  Mooriili  guard-boats  towed  her  out  of 
the  harbour. 

About  two  hours  after  they  had  hoifted  fail,  one 

of  the  Neapolitans  was  feized  with  the  plague,  and 

A  a   2  being 


*82<  DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS. 

being  apprehenfive  that  the  contagion  would  fpread 
among  the  crew,  they  put  about  the  fhip  and  flood 
in  for  Algiers,  with  an  intention  to  land  the  Nea 
politan.  As  foon  as  they  had  hoifted  a  fignai  a 
a  boat  came  off  and  took  him  afliore  ;  but  the 
vichelhadge  would  not  fuffer  him  to  be  landed, 
and  ordered  him  immediately  back  to  the  vef- 
fel. 

After  they  had  been  under  weigh  about  half  an 
hour,  the  dey,  receiving  information  of  what  had 
pafled,  ordered  a  number  of  the  pifcorees  to  go  in 
purfuit  of  her,  who  foon  after  returned  and  brought 
back  the  fick  Neapolitan. 

But  their  misfortune,  did  not  terminate  here  :  for 
the  day  after  another  Neapolitan  was  difcovered  to 
have  the  plague,  of  which  he  died  fjjortly  after  ; 
and  the  fucceeding  day  captain  BaiTy  was  feized 
with  the  diforder,  and  alfo  died.  The  forecafUe 
of  the  veflel  was  then  converted  into  an  hofpital, 
and  two  Americans  who  had  had  the  plague  in  Al 
giers  were  appointed  to  attend  them.  Great  pre 
cautions  were  then  taken  to  prevent  the  conta 
gion  from  fpreading.  The  crew  kept  themfelves 
in  conRant  motion,  their  clothes  were  aired  and  the 
decks  were  kept  continually  wafhed,  and  by  thefe 
means  its  progrefs  was  effectually  checked. 

At  this  time  they  refolved  to  alter  their  courfe ; 
and,  as  they  knew  they  would  not  be  fuffered  to 
enter  the  port  of  Leghorn,  they  flood  in  for  Mar- 
feilles,  where  they  were  obliged  to  ride  quarantine 
for  80  days.  As  foon  as  they  had  performed  qua 
rantine  all  the  Neapolitans  who  had  arrived  in  La 
Fortune  were  imprifoned,  as  their  nation  was  then 
at  war  with  the  French  republic  ;  but  they  were 
foon  after  liberated  and  fent  to  Naples. 

CHAP, 


DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS.   283 

CHAP.    VI. 

Siccinft  account  of  Algiers  in  the  time  of  Pmcttinm* 

THE  city  of  Algiers  has  undergone  confiderable 
alterations  in  the  ftate  of  its  fortifications,  go 
vernment,   cuftoms,    and  manners,   &c.   fmce    the 
year  1640,  the  time  of  their  famous' admiral   Hali 
Pinchinin. 

The  ancient  wall  of  the  city  ftill  remains  ;  but 
fcarcely  any  vifible  veftiges  exiil  ci  the  ditch 
which  extended  the  whole  length  of  the  wall  on 
the  land  fide.  This  ditch  was  about  fixteen  feet 
wide,  and  of  a  proportionable  depth  ;  and  ferved  as 
a  recepticle  for  the  filth  of  the  city.  The  inhabit 
ants  derived  but  little  advantage  from  this  wall,  as 
no  military  force  was  ftationed  behind  it  for  the 
defence  of  the  city. 

All  the  ftreets  were  chained  up  at  night ;  ex 
cept  that  which  extended  the  whole  length  of  the 
city  from  the  port  of  Babloet,  between  the  great 
mofque  and  the  dey's  palace,  to  the  gate  of  Buba- 
zoon. 

The  principal  part  of  the  garrifon  was  lodged  in 
five  large  public  edifices,  with  fpacious  courts  in 
the  middle,  which  ferved  as  armories.  Each  of  thefe 
contained  about  600  foldiers,  who  were  fupported 
at  the  public  expence  ;  each  of  whom  were  ac 
commodated  with  a  feparate  apartment.  But  ma 
ny  of  the  principal  Turks  were  lodged  in  large 
houfes  called  Fonducas,  which  belonged  to  pri 
vate  nerfons. 

The 


284      DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

• 

The  caille  called^Alcazabar  was  that  part  of  the 
city  which  lay  to  the  fouthward,  divided  by  a  wall 
which  began  at  the  rampart  on  the  eaft  fide,  and 
extended  to  that  on  the  weft. 

About  three  hundred  paces  from  the  ihore 
flood  a  fmall  ifland,  that  was  joined  to  the  city  by 
a  mole  which  was  finiihed  in  the  year  1533,  ari(^ 
intended  for  the  protection  of  veflels.  This  mole 
was  carried  away  by  a  violent  tempeft  in  the  be 
ginning  cf  the  year  1662,  which  occafioned  im- 
rnenfe  definition  among  the  fhipping. 

Without  the  city  there  were  feveral  inconfider- 
able  fort  re  fles  ;  (he  piincipal  of  which  was  that 
built  by  Haflan  Baihaw  in  the  year  1545  at  the 
place  where  Charles  V.  pitched  his  tent  in  1541* 
This  fortrefs  Jsftiii  in  exiftence,  and  is  called  the 
imperial  ca/l/e. 

The  inhabitants  amounted  to  about  100,000  ;  of 
which  12,000  were  Turkiih  foldiers,  30,000  Haves 
of  various  nations,  and  the  remainder  citizens  of 
Algiers,  who  confifted  of  Moors,  Morelcos,  Jews, 
and  fome  Chriilidn  merchants. 

The  fupreme  authority  was,  as  at  prefent,  veftecl 
in  the  dey,  or,  as  he  was  then  called,  the  bafhaw, 
who  was  frequently  honored  with  the  appellation  of 
Sultan,  with  which  he  was  highly  pleafed. 

His  (ituation  appears  to  have  been  more  precarious 
then  than  at  prefent,  and  he  wjs  in  continual  appre- 
henfion  of  mutiny  among  the  Turkiih  foldiers  ;  efpe- 
cially  if  their  monthly  wages  were  withheld.  His 
principal  ftudy,  therefore,  was  to  make  punctual  pay 
ments  at  every  new  moon,  and  if  he  delayed  thefe 
payments  three  hours  after  they  were  due,  he  was 
in  great  danger  either  of  being  murdered  or  impri- 
funed. 

The 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      285 

The  cfcy  was  obliged  to  be  very  circumfpedt  in 
faking  no  more  than  his  due  proportion  of  all 
prizes  ;  for  otherwife  he  was  in  danger  of  immedi 
ate  execution  by  an  incenfed  foldiery  ;  as  happen 
ed  in  September  1661,  when  Ramadan  Bafhaw, 
who  then  prefided,  adjudged  to  himfelf  a  great 
er  proportion  of  prize-wheat  than  was  his  due. 
This  proceeding  caufed  an  immediate  infurreclion 
of  the  foldiers,  who  cut  his  throat,  and  maiTacred 
twenty-eight  of  the  divan,  whofe  bodies  were 
thrown  to  the  dogs  in  the  ftreets.  The  reft  were 
obliged  to  make  their  efcape  in  a  fifhing  boat,  to 
avoid  -the  fury  of  the  foldiers,  in  which  they  were 
afterwards  captured  by  the  Maltefe  and  made  ilaves. 

After  the  death  of  Ramadan ,  another  Bafhaw, 
whom  they  had  imprifoned  fome  years  before  for 
neglect  in  making  punctual  payments,  was  brought 
out  and  elected  to  the  fovereignty  of  Algiers,  whom 
they  exhorted  to  a  more  virtuous  conduct  in  admin- 
iftration. 

But  within  three  days  after,  he  forgot  their  in 
junctions,  and  meditated  nothing  but  the  deftruction 
of  an  aga,  who  had  been  acceflfcry  to  his  imprifon- 
rnent.  In  the  execution  of  this  defign  he  promifed 
10,000  patacoons  *  to  two  foldiers  if  they  would 
murder  him.  With  this  intention  they  went  to  the 
aga's  houfe,  and  requefted  to  fpeak  with  him* 
But  the  (lave  who  came  out,  fufpeciing  their  inten 
tions  by  their  countenances,  aniwered  that  his  maf- 
ter  was  not  at  home. 

When  intelligence  was  announced  to  the  aga  of 
the  dey's  defigns,  he  urged  a  complaint  to  the  fol 
diers,  who  feized  him  and  threw  him  into  a  dark 
dungeon,  where  he  received  his  food  through  a 
fmaii  hole,  arid  only  had  room  enough  to  fit  down. 

The 

*  The  patacoon  isaSpanifh  coin  about  84  cents  invalus. 


286     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

The  neceffity  of  pun&ual  payment,  often  obliged 
the  dey  to  procure  money  by  every  fmifter  means  in 
liis  power:  even  by  the  violation  or  mifconftruftion 
of  treaties.  And  this  imperious  necedity  induced  him 
to  rifk  a  rupture  with  Great  Britain  in  1661,  by 
making  prize  (contrary  to  their  treaty  of  peace)  of 
the  property  and  perfons  of  foreigners  that  had  been 
fhipped  on  board  of  Britifh  veffels.  In  confequence 
of  this  infradlion  of  the  treaty,  the  earl  of  Sand- 
wick  was  difpatched  to  Algiers,  with  a  fleet  of  eigh 
teen  fail  of  the  line,  to  demand  refKtution.  The  ad 
miral  entered  the  harbour  the  22d  of  Auguft,  and 
difpatched  his  lieutenant  with  his  credentials  on 
ihore  to  demand  fatisfaclion,  which  the  dey  and 
divan  were  not  dlfpofed  to  grant.  In  confequence, 
the  Britifh  conful  was  brought  on  board  the  fleet, 
and  the  admiral,  after  pouring  a  volley  of  grape 
fhot  into  the  city,  and  battering  down  feveral  houfes, 
took  his  departure. 

The  principal  ftudy  of  the  dey  was  the  con- 
ftant  practice  of  impoiition  upon  nations  with  whom 
he  was  in  alliance.  Their  veflels  were  frequent 
ly  feized,  and  the  captains  conftrained,  by  corporal 
punilhment,  to  confefs  that  the  property  belonged 
to  other  nations.  Indeed  it  was  an  arduous  tafk 
for  him  to  avoid  foreign  difputes,  and  at  the  fame 
time  promote  harmony  at  home.  He  was  fenfi- 
ble  that  the  eftablimment  of  peace  with  other  na 
tions  would  have  a  tendency  to  abridge  his  per- 
quifites,  and  a  want  of  finances  to  difcharge  the 
neceffary  demands,  would  expofe  him  to  the  fury 
of  a  mutinous  foldiery.  Treaties  of  peace  were 
therefore  neceffarily  violated,  and  as  he  derived 
the  principal  part  of  his  revenue  from  captured 
veffels,  he  was  ieldom  at  peace  with  any  na 
tion* 

The 


DESCRIPTION  OF    ALGIERS.      287 

The  12,000  men  that  conftituted  his  ordinary- 
forces,  confifted  chiefly  of  the  refufe  of  Turkey, 
and  of  renegados  who  had  fled  for  refuge  from 
Europe;  for  Algiers  was  fuch  a  perfect  afylum 
for  villany,  that  even  thofe  who  had  offended  the 
Grand  Signier  himfelf  found  protection  upon  their 
arrival  there,  as  was  the  cafe  in  1640* 

One  Sigala,  the  fon  of  a.  Ge.nc.efe  renegade  a 
famous  admiral  of  the  fame  name,  had  been  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  ofafquadron  of  galleys 
belonging  to  the  Grand  Signior  Morad  IV.  which 
brought  home  the  annual  tribute  of  Egypt.  Sigala 
on  his  return  anchored  his  fleet  in  fbme  of  the  ports 
of  Greece,  where  he  went  on  fhore  to  devote  part  of 
his  time  to  the  women.  While  he  was  here  indulg 
ing  himfelf  in  every  gratification,  the  Maltefe  ran 
into  the  port,  and  captured  the  veflel  which- was 
freighted  with  the  treafure.  Sigala,  to  avoid  the  bow 
firing,  fet  fail  immediately  with  his  galley  to  Algiers, 
where  he  fubfifted  by  piracy  till  he  was  pardoned  by 
Ibrahim  the  fucceflbr  of  Morad. 

Algiers  was  at  this  time  a  kind  of  military  re 
public,  and  the  dey  was  fo  perfectly  under  the  con- 
troul  of  the  foldiery,  that  without  their  concurrence 
he  could  do  nothing.  If  they  approved  of  his  or 
ders  they  were  executed,  and  if  not,  the  dey  was 
compelled  to  relinquim  them. 

In  the  year  1642,  a  trihutory  king,  refufing  to 
pay  tribute,  appealed  with  an  army  to  fhake  off  the 
Algerine  yoke.  Yufef,  the  reigning  dey,  defirous 
of  being  exempted  from  the  ccrnnt^njd  of  the  expe 
dition,  prcter.ded  indifpofition.  B^tyhe  foldiers 
were  not  diipofed  to  receive  his  etffctJrc',  and  com 
pelled  him  to  embark  in  one  of  his  galleys  ;  and 
left  he  fliculd  defert  them,  he  was  efcorted  by  an 
other 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

other  galley,  and  was  obliged  to  fubmit  to  being 
difembaiked  with  his  army  at  the  place  appointed. 
At  this  time  there  were,  according  to  ibme  ac 
counts,  about  three  thoufand  French  renega- 
dos  in  Algiers.  Before  this  time  the  renegades  were 
prohibited  from  ferving  in  the  capacity  of  Tur- 
Idih  foldiers  ;  but  Mahomet  Baihavv  firft  allow 
ed  them  to  be  incorporated  with  the  Turks  in 


The  pay  of  each  foldier  was  eight  Morefco 
doubles  *  a  month  ;  but  their  pay  was  enhanced 
upon  extraordinary  emergencies,  and  in  proportion 
to  the  number  of  years  they  had  ferved.  When 
ever  the  Sultanefs  was  delivered  of  a  fon,  or  they 
had  any  remarkable  engagement  with  the  Arabs, 
or  any  foldier  had  killed  his  enemy  in  an  engage 
ment  and  brought  away  his  head,  their  pay  was 
augmented  a  double  a  month  :  provided  the  num 
ber  of  doubles  did  not  exceed  forty. 

The  unmarried  foldiers  enjoyed  greater  privileges 
than  thofe  who  were  married.  To  the  former 
were  diftributed  four  loaves  of  bread  a  day,  but 
to  the  latter  none. 

The  foldiers  kept  no  guard  in  the  city  ;  but  a 
watch  called  Mefuart,  confifling  of  twenty-five; 
perfons,  paraded  the  ftreets.  In  the  fummer  thd 
city  was  nearly  deftitute  of  a  garrifon,  as  the  army! 
was  then  difperfed  into  various  parts  of  the  country 
to  enforce  the  payment  of  taxes. 

The  divan  were  convened  twice  a  week  in-  a  gal 
lery  of  the  palace,  and  confifted  of  40  perfons. 
All  matters  were  decided  here  by  a  majority  ;  but 
what  was  remarkable,  the  votes  were  collected  be 

fore 

*  This  double  is  about  aj  cents  In  value. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     2^9 

fore  the  debate  was  clofed.  All  caufes  between  the 
foldiers  were  decided  in  this  council,  but  thofe  be 
tween  the  citizens  were  determined  before  the  chiah, 
who  was  the  dey's  lieutenant. 

Though  their  fortifications  were  then,  as  at  pre- 
fent,very  inconfiderable,  yet  they  were  a  terror  to  the 
Europeans  ;  and,  according  to  feme  computations, 
above  600,000  Haves  died  in  Algiers  with  the  feve- 
rityof  their  treatment  between  the  years  1536  and 
1640. 

Though  the  Algennes  were  greatly  elated  at 
the  fignal  difaftcr  of  Charles  V.  in  1541,  yet 
they  durft  not  attribute  their  deliverance  to  their 
own  valour.  Their  opinion  was,  that  a  marabout 
or  fanton  who  refided  near  the  city,  produced 
the  tempeft  that  proved  the  definition  of  the  Spa- 
riilh  fleet,  by  beating  the  fea  with  his  wand. 
To  the  memory  of  this  marabout  they  ere6ted  a 
rnofque  near  the  gate  of  Babloer,  where  he  \vas  in 
terred.  The  Turks  had  a  great  veneration  for 
this  place,  and  pretended  that  if  a  Chriftian  army 
fhould  ever  befiege  Algiers  again,  they  would  raifc 
the  mod  tremendous  tempeft  ever  known  by  caft- 
ing  the  bones  of  this  marabout  into  the  lea- 


B  b  CHAP, 


250     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 


C  HAP.     VII. 

Jl  compendium   of  ike  adventures  of  Emanuel 

.containing  an  ace  omit  of  tie  treatment  of   the  Algerint 
flakes    in  ike  time  of  Pinchinin. 

EMANUEL  D'ARANDA  was  a  native  of 
Dunkirk  in  Flanders,  and  was  a  flave  in  Al 
giers  for  the  fpace  of  two  years.  On  the  firft  of 
Augiift  1640,  he  left  Madrid,  and  proceeded  by  land 
to  St.  Sebaftian,  where  he  embarked  on  board  an 
Engliih  veffel,  in  order  to  return  to  his  own  coun 
try,  after  having  vifited  various  parts  of  Spain.  After 
being  at  fea  a  few  days,  they  difcovered  a  large  Ihip 
bearing  down  upon,  them,  which  proved  to  be  a  ca 
ravel.  The  mailer  of  the  Englifh  veffel  immedi 
ately  ordered  his  fails  to  be  furled  up,  and  alledged 
fora  reafon  that  it  was  not  cuftomary  for  an  Englifh 
veffel  to  run  away  at  fea.  The  caravel  foon  came 
within  gun  (hot,  but  without  hoifting  her  colours  ; 
whereupon  it  was  concluded  that  (he  was  a  pirate. 

But  night  coming  on  both  veffels  lay  to,  waiting 
the  events  that  were  to  take  place  the  next  morning. 
The  paffengers  of  the  Englifh  veffel  ufed  every  ar 
gument  in  their  power  to  induce  the  captain  to  make 
his  efcape ;  but  he  wa-s  inflexibly  determined  to 
maintain  his  ftation.  About  ten  o'clock  next  morn- 
ang  two  Turkifh  veffels  hove  in  fight,  and  were 
foon  within  gun  ihot.  In  this  fituation  refiftance 
was  vain.  One  of  the  Turkifh  veffels  hailed  her,  and 
ordered  her  to  ftrike  her  colours  ;  upon  which  a 
boat's  crew  was  fent  out,  who  immediately  toak  pof- 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.       291 

feffion  of  the  Englifh  veffel,  and  her  crew  were  fent 
on  board  of  one  of  the  Turkifh  ftiips,  which  im 
mediately  after  flood  for  Algiers. 

On  the  eleventh  day  after  their  capture,  they 
paffed  the  freights  of  Gibraltar,  where  the  Turks, 
as  they  paffed,  obferved  many  fuperftitious  ceremo 
nies.  Among  a  variety  the  following  was  obferved  ; 
they  cad  a  veffel  of  oil  into  the  fea,  which  they 
imagined  fwam  to  a  mountain  called  La  montagnt 
cits  Signes,  where  a  great  fanton  or  faint  refided,  who 
fubiifted  upon  the  oil, and  in  confequence  of  this  gift 
difpenfed  various  bleffings  to  them.  During  thepaf- 
fage  of  the  oil,  lighted  candles  were  placed  upon  the 
great  guns  (a  ceremony  that  was  particularly  ob 
ferved  by  veffels  that  paffed  the  freights  in  the 
night)  which  burnt  for  the  purpofe  of  affording 
light  to  the  oil  in  its  paffage.  All  thefe  ceremonies 
were  performed  with  prayers  and  great  devotion. 

The  third  day  after  palling  the  ftreights,  they  an 
chored  oppofite  the  city  of  Algiers;  the  guns  of  the 
veffel  were  fired,  and  their  report  brought  a  large 
concourfe  of  people  to  the  fhore,  D'Aranda  with 
the  reft  of  the  crew  were  now  freed  from  their  chains, 
and  taken  to  the  market  where  the  Chrillian  Haves 
were  fold,  in  order  to  fee  if  any  of  them  were  known  ; 
from  thence  they  were  conducted  to  the  palace  of 
the  dey,  (who  was  entitled  to  every  eighth  prifoner) 
that  he  might  make  his  choice  out  of  the  number  of 
captives. 

He  was  feated  in  his  hall  of  audience,  and  fat 
crofs-legged  on  an  elegant  feat,  covered  with  blue 
tapeftry,  holding  in  his  hand  a  number  of  plumes, 
refembling  a  fan.  His  drefs  was  a  long  gown  of  red 
filk,  and  a  turban  neatly  interwoven. 

After  the  dey  had  made  choice  of  his  (hare  of  the 
captives,  the  remainder  were  taken  to  the  houfe  of 

one 


293     DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

one  of  the  Turks  whofe  veffel  had  taken  the  prize* 
As  D'Aranda  was  going  info  the  houfe,  the  Turk 
afked  him  In  Italian,  if  he  was  hungry,  he  anfwered 
ia  the  affirmative ;  whereupon  a  Chriftian  (lave 
brought  the  prifoners  fome  bread  and  a  bafket  of 
grapes,  with  which  they  regaled  themfeives.  The 
houfe  was  built  in  the  Italian  manner  ;  the  galleries 
were  formed  of  white  marble,  and  the  pavement, 
the  pillars  and  the  arches  were  well  proportioned, 
according  to  the  laws  of  architecture.  They  were 
confined  in  this  houfe,  where  they  were  obliged  to 
fleep  on  the  floor  in  the  galleries,  and  were  not  per 
mitted  to  leave  the  houfe  till  they  were  fold. 

After  they  had  been  confined  here  feven 
days,  they  were  vifited  by  Piochinin  and  forne  of 
the  richeft  Turks,  who  came  with  an  intention  to 
purclnfe  flaves.  They  afked  the  prifoners  whether 
they  were  able  to  pay  the  price  of  their  ranibm  ; 
but  they  anfwered  in  the  negative,  and  in  confe- 
quence  no  purchafe  was  made*  They  were  after 
wards  brought  to  the  market,  where  an  old  man, 
with  a  ftaff  in  his  hand,  took  D'Aranda  by  the 
arm,  and  led  him  feveral  times  round  the  market 
place.  A  number  of  perfons,  defrcus  of  purchaf- 
ingj  appeared,  who  afked  D'Aranda  his  profeffion. 
and  the  place  of  his  nativity.  They  took  him  by 
the  hand  to  examine  if  it  was  hard;  and  ordered 
him  to  open  his  mouth,  to  fee  whether  his  teeth 
were  fufKciently  good  for  chewing  hard  bifkets  on 
board  the  galleys.  They  were  then  all  ordered  to 
be  feated  in  a  row.  The  old  man  took  the  firft  ia 
order  and  led  him  three  or  four  times  round  the 
market,  crying  arrache,  arracks,  who  offers  moft  ? 
After  the  fale  he  was  placed  upon  the  other  fide  of 
the  market,  and  in  the  fame  manner  all  the  others 
were  fold.  D'Aranda  was  purchased  by  a  rene 
gade 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.      293 

gado  named  Saban  Gallan,  who  gave  200  pata- 
coons  for  him. 

The  dey  being  entitled  to  any  flave  at  the  price 
offered  for  him  in  the  maiket,  they  were  in  confe- 
quence  once  more  taken  to  the  palace  :  each  one 
having  in  his  hat  a  piece  of  paper,  on  which  was 
written  the  price  at  which  he  was  fold.  The  dey 
thought  proper  to  purchafe  D'Aranda,  and  Caloen 
and  Saldens  two  of  his  companions  ;  telling  them 
that  he  had  heard  they  were  perfons  of  quality, 
arid  that  he  expe&ed  a  large  ium  for  their  ran- 
fom.  He  then  ordered  them  to  the  ftables  of 
the  palace,  where  they  found  250  other  (laves  in 
tended  as  a  fupply  to  the  galleys.  In  thefe  fta- 
bles  they  were  confined  one  and  twenty  days,  and 
their  daily  allowance  here  was  two  frnall  loaves  of 
bread  a -piece. 

Towards  the  end  of  September,  when  their  gal 
leys  make  their  laft  cruiie,  thefe  Haves  began  to 
prepare  for  fea.  To  each  one  was;  diftribuled,  by  the 
dey's  order,  feme  coarfe  cloth,  for  the  purpofe  of 
making  them  fuch  clothes  as  were  worn  in  the  gal 
leys.  On  the  day  appointed  for  the  flaves  to  go 
on  board,  a  number  of  barbers  attended  the  ila- 
bles,  and  (haved  the  heads  and  beards  of  t hole  who 
were  intended  as  rowers.  After  they  were  fliaved, 
the  dey?s  Oeward,  and  the  captain  of  one  of  the 
galleys  entered  the  flab Ics,  and  ordered  the  Haves 
into  an  adjoining  court,  where  each  one  _  had  his 
o-nce  and  tlation  affigned  him.  After  tJai-$- -there 
remained  twenty  flaves  more  than  fuifici  narl 

the  galleys.  D'Aranda  was  among  this  number,- 
and  the  captain  of  th:  galley  laid  to  the  fteward 
as  he  pailed  them,  Wt  will  leave  tkefe  rafcaU  on 
jlwrt,  for  thty  are  favages  yet- 

1  hty  were  then  ordered  back  to  the  dey's  tta- 
B  b  2  bits, 


294       DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS. 

bles,  and  the  fame  day  four  galleys  thus  manned, 
left  the  harbour.  The  dey  finding  D*Aranda  and 
his  companions  neither  rich  nor  perfons  of  quality, 
ordered  them  to  be  brought  into  his  prefence  in 
the  hall  of  audience,  where  they  found  Pinchinin, 
who  faid  to  them,  Chriftians  I  have  bought  you  of  the 
dey,  but  at  a  very  great  price.  He  then  fent  them 
to  his  houfe,  where  they  found  twenty  female 
flaves  who  attended  his  wife,  bcfides  twelve  male 
flaves,  and  a  feraglio  of  forty  young  boys  between 
nine  and  fifteen  years  of  age. 

From  Pinchinin's  houfe  they  were  fent  to  his 
bagnio,  the  place  appointed  for  fuch  of  his  flaves 
as  were  intended  for  the  galleys.  This  bangio  was 
a  ftreet  or  large  entry  in  his  houfe,  where  pirates 
and  Turkiih  foldiers  tefcrted,  who  fpent  their  time 
in  drinking,  and  the  commiffion  of  the  moft  unna 
tural  crimes.  D'Aranda  not  being  acquainted  with 
any  one  in  this  feminary  of  virtue,  was  obliged  to 
fleep  the  firft  night  upon  the  terrace  of  the  bagnio^ 
and  the  next  morning  when  he  rofe  he  favv  an  Ita 
lian  flave  bringing  in  a  great  variety  of  articles  and 
houfehold  fluff,  and  crying  arracke,  arrache. 
D'Aranda  enquired  of  a  certain  knight  of  Malta 
with  whom  he  had  become  acquainted,  what  the 
Italian  meant.  "  As  our  matter  Pinchinin,"  replied 
the  knight,  "  allows  his  flaves  nothing  for  their 
"  fubfiftence,  the  greateft  part  of  them  live  upon 
"  ftealing,  and  the  booty  of  the  preceding  day  is 
11  every  morning  thus  fold  for  their  iupport." 

The  next  morning  before  fun-rife  the  guardian 
coming  into  the  bagnio,  fa  luted  CXAranda  i  .nd 
his  companions  with  Surfa  cani,  abajo  canal- 
la,  get  up  ycu  dogs,  come  down  you  icoundreis* 
After  this  coarfe  falutation,  he  conducted  them  to 
Babloet,  in  the  fubuibs  of  the  city,  where  the/ 

were 


DESCRIPTION  OF   ALGIERS.     295 

were  employed  in  a  large  rope-walk.  D'Aranda 
and  Saldens  were  appointed  to  turn  a  large  wheel. 
Upon  their  turning  the  wheel  too  fwiftly, their  guar 
dian  cried  out  to  them  in  Lingua  Franca,  forti,forti, 
which  (ignifies  gently;  but  they  mifunderftanding 
the  term,  turned  the  wheel  with  all  their  might, 
which  fo  exafperated  their  guardian,  that  he  ran  up 
to  them  in  a  rage,  and  with  a  huge  cudgel  taught 
them  the  fignification  of  ford. 

After  they  were  thus  initiated  into  the  knowledge 
of  rope  making,  they  were  compelled  to  pound  wheat 
in  a  mortar  ;  a  much  more  laborious  employment, 
in  which  D'Aranda  acquitted  himfelf  but  very  in- 
dirFerently  ;  upon  which  his  guardian  faid  to  him, 
givd  over  that  work  you  dog,  you  are  too  favage  yet. 
In  putting  the  wheat  into  bags  after  it  had  been 
pounded,  a  little  happened  to  be  fpilt  on  the  ground  ; 
whereupon  their  guardian  fa\&rPiUdcffe  cant,  take 
that  up  you  dog:  but  D'Aranda  not  understanding 
him,  his  keeper  gave  him  a  moft  unmeiciful  blow 
over  the  back  with  a  billet  of  wood,  which  gave 
him  a  dangerous  wound,  from  which  a  copious 
ftream  of  blood  iilued. 

A  very  heavy  bag  of  wheat  was  then  placed 
upon  each  one's  (boulder,  which  they  had  to  car 
ry  a  confidcrable  didance,  and  D'Aranda's  ftrength 
failing  him  after  he  had  gone  a  few  paces,  the  bag 
began  to  flide  down  his  back  ;  upon  which  his 
keeper  druck  him  in  the  face  feveral  times  with 
fid,  and  the  blood  dreamed  plentifully  from  his 
mouth  and  nofe  ;  which  compelled  him  to  greUjr 
exertion.?,  an«!  he  daggered  under  the  load  till  he 
arrived  at  Pinchinin's  houfe,  where  he  fell  down, 
perfeiUy  exl  !th  the  burden-  IL-t  the  mofl 

arduous  part  of  their  h-j  jur  was  yet  to  be  pei form 
ed.     They  \vcrc   under    the  ncccfiity  of  currying 

the.e 


296    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS, 

the  fe  bags  up  into  a  granary  forty  feet  high;  a 
tafk  which  D'Aranda  would  have  found  totally 
impracticable,  had  not  his  companion  Saldens,  who 
was  much  dronger,  compaffionaitely  carried  it  up 
for  him,  while  he  lay  upon  the  ground  befrneared 
with  fweat,  duft  and  blood,  and  ftili  unmercifully 
pounded  by  his  keeper,  who  threatened  to  murder 
him.  In  this  lamentable  condition  he  returned  to 
the  bagnio. 

In  the  mean  time  Caloen,  his  other  companion, 
had  been  employed  in  leading  a  mule,  laden  with 
bi(ket,  from  Pinchinia's  houfe  tQ  the  water  fide. 
In  confequence  of  the  narrownefs  of  the  ffreets,  it 
was  a  cuftom  in  Algiers,  when  one  led  a  loaded 
mule  or  camel,  to  cry  Belcc,  take  care  there.  But 
our  new  mule-driver,  ignorant  of  the  cuftom,  gave 
no  warning  ef  his  approach,  and  in  pallBng, 
threw  a  Turk  info  the  mud.  The  Turk  getting 
up  in  a  great  rage,  drew  his  knife,  (which  th:y 
carried  about  them  iaitead  of  a  fword)  and  would 
have  murdered  Caloen,  had  he  not  been  prevented 
by  fome  other  Turks,  who  hallowed  out  to  Lim, 
don  t  you  fee  thai  Chriflian  is  ajavageytt,  and  don  I 
under/land  the  cujlom  ;  the  word  SAVAGE  being  a 
terra  of  reproach  which  was  given  him  becaufe  he 
was  dreffed  in  a  Chriflian  habit. 

While  they  were  in  a  ftate  of  the  moft  extreme 
indigence,  expelling  nothing  from  Pinchinin,  and 
not  verfed  in  the  art  of  flealing,  the  common  profef- 
fion  in  the  bagnio,  they  had  the  good  fortune  to  bor 
row  feventy-five  patacoons  from  an  Italian  merchant 
in  Algiers,  to  whom  they  became  jointly  bound  for 
the  payment  of  a  hundred  at  Antwerp. 

Their  next  employment  was  in  a  vine-yard  be 
longing  to  one  of  Pinchinin's  country-hou!es,where 
very  laborious  tafks  were  affigned  them  ;  for  which 

D'Arands 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.    297 

D'Aranda,  being  but  indifferently  qualified,  agreed 
with  his  guardian  to  allow  him  four  rials  a  month  if 
he  would  give  him  a  more  eafy  employment  :  and 
in  confequence  his  next  bufinefs  was  to  carry  fome 
large  pots  of  water  to  the  lodgings  of  the  chief  guar 
dian.  D'Aranda  now  fared  pretty  well,  and  was 
much  pleafed  with  his  new  employment ;  but  a 
trivial  occurrence  fhortly  after  excluded  him  from 
this  bufinefs  ;  for  as  he  was  pouring  a  pot  of  wa 
ter  one  day  into  the  Tinaga,  cr  great  cittern,  he 
accofted  a  Turkidi  woman  who  entered  the  houfe, 
and  afked  her  if  (lie  would  drink  a  glafs  of  lack. 
This  qaeftion  being  overheard,  he  was  difmiffed 
from  his  employment,  and  compelled  the  next  day 
to  work  with  fome  other  flaves  in  attending  ma- 
fons. 

This  happened  in  the  month  of  December, 
when  the  corfairs  cruifed  along  the  coaft  of  Anda- 
lufia,  in  order  to  capture  Engliih  veffels  laden 
with  wine  and  fruits.  Thefe  corfairs  had  taken  a 
frigate  of  Dankirk,  in  which  there  was  a  young 
man  who  was  fold  to  Pinchinin,  with  whom 
D'Aranda  had  been  formerly  acquainted.  This 
young  man  (hortly  after  had  an  interview  with 
D'Aranda,  and  being  moved  at  the  recital  of  his 
misfortunes,  gave  him  fome  jewels,  which  he  pawned 
for  ten  crowns/  This  was  a  very  feafonable  fup- 
ply,  as  his  fevsnty-five  patacoons  were  by  this 
time  (pent,  and  his  credit  was  in  confequence  very 
much  raifed  at  the  bagnio,  which  was  more  than 
ufually  crouded  at  this  time  by  great  numbers  of 
Turks  and  Chriftian  flaves  who  came  to  drink 
fack,  a  cargo  of  which  had  been  lately  taken  ia 
one  their  prizes.  About  thirty  flaves  were  taken  in 
this  frigate  who  were  employed  in  unloading  her. 
Some  of  thefe  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  afterwards 

employed 


*9*    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

employed  as  tavern  keepers,  a  bufinefs  which  was 
prohibited  to  Turks;  others  of  the  crew  were  con- 
figned  to  the  galleys,  where  they  were  chained  to  the 
outermoft  oar,  men  whom  the  Algerines  called  Bo- 
gavands*  Thefe  flaves  confided  of  Spanards,  Italians 
and  Ruffians,  and  being  a  little  intoxicated  one 
night  a  quarrel  enfued  between  fome  of  them,which 
nude  a  great  uproar  in  the  bagnio.  Whereupon 
a  pried  came  into  the  room  with  a  wax  candle  in 
his  hand,  and  quelled  the  difturbance.  The  news 
of  this  riot  foon  came  to  the  ears  of  the  patron 
of  the  bagnio,  who  came  attended  by  feveral  per- 
fons  with  creffet  lights  and  lanthrons,  and  armed 
with  cudgels.  They  all  fled  at  the  approach  of  the 
patron;  but  one  of  the  rioters  was  feized,  dripped 
naked,  and  held  by  the  hands  and  feet  by  four 
flaves  with  his  belly  on  the  floor,  where  he  received 
a  hundred  blows  on  the  back  with  a  cudgel* 

D'Aranda  had  now  refided  fix  months  in  Al 
giers,  at  which  time  he  and  his  companions  went 
to  Pinchinin,  and  kifling  his  robe  and  the  fleeve  of 
his  inner  garment,  the  Turkifh  mode  of  paying 
homage,  they  told  him  they  had  come  to  agree 
with  him  about  the  price  of  their  ranforn.  After 
fome  converfation  Pinchinin  told  them  he  was  then 
going  out  of  town  with  fome  flaves  to  fell  timber 
for  a  new  frigate  which  was  building,  and  that  he 
would  talk  further  with  them  upon  the  fubjeft  at 
his  return. 

In  the  mean  time  D'Aranda  was  employed  at 
a  new  houfe  belonging  to  Pinchinin  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  city,  where  he  was  obiged  to  carry 
materials  on  his  backup  a  deep  hill  where  mules 
and  camels  could  not  be  ufed.  While  he  was  at 
work  two  Turks  came  to  ^the  bagnio  and  enquir 
ed  for  D'Aranda,  Caloen,  and  Saldens;  but  as 

they 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS.     299 

they  had  changed  their  names,  nobody  could 
give  any  account  of  them.  The  Turks  then  ap 
plied  to  a  Brabant  Have  called  Francis  the ftv dent, 
to  examine  fome  papers  which  were  written  in  La 
tin,  giving  fome  account  of  the  flaves.  Francis, 
upon  examination,  concluded  that  D'Aranda  and 
his  companion!  were  the  perfons  they  were  enquir 
ing  for, and  told  them  he  knew  the  flaves  very  well. 
Whereupon  he  went  with  them  to  the  bagnio, 
where  they  found  D'Aranda  arid  his  companions, 
whom  they  informed  they  were  no  longer  ilaves  ; 
at  which  the  were  greatly  overjoyed. 

The  next  day  a  Jew  came  to  the  bagnio,  and  by 
order  of  Pinchinin's  wife*  told  D'Aranda  and  his 
companions  that  the  dey  wifhed  to  fpeak  to  them. 
When  they  were  brought  before  him,  he  comman 
ded  them  to  go  into  a  fmall  draxving  room  of  the 
palace,  where  they  continued  about  three  hours 
with  fome  young  Chrifiian  flaves.  At  length  the 
fteward  made  his  appearance  with  a  cudgel,  and 
faid  to  them,  You  dogs  which  oj  you  wrote  kome  to 
le  exchanged  for  Turks?  They  all  excufed  them- 
felves  ;  but  the  fteward  not  much  difpofed  to  re 
ceive  their  excufes,  gave  them  all  a  fevere  beating, 
and  told  them  he  would  come  again  at  night  and 
cut  off  their  ears  and  nofes.  They  were  here  con 
fined  in  this  fmall  apartment  in  extreme  mifery  for 
eighteen  days  ;  during  which  time  they  were  fre 
quently  vifited  by  the  fteward,  who  always  carried 
his  cudgel  in  his  hand,  and  fometirnes  beat  them  fpr 
his  diverfion.  TheTurks  now  waited  upon  Pinchinin, 
who  had  returned,  and  told  him  they  had  engaged 
to  procure  an  exchange  of  D'Aranda  and  his  com 
panions  for  feven  of  their  Turkish  friends,  who 
were  prifoners  in  Flanders,  and  offered  him  by  way 
of  ranfom  the  fame  fum  he  had  given  for  them.  But 

Pinchinio 


jco    DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

Pincliinin  told  them  thefe  (laves  were  pejfons  of 
quality,  for  each  of  whom  he  demanded  6000  pata- 
coons  as  the  price  of  ranfom. 

While  the  Turks  were  endeavouring  to  effect  an 
exchange  of  prifoners  nine  weeks  pafled,  away,  du 
ring  which  time  D'Aranda  and  his  companions  were 
confined  in  the  dey's  palace.  After  much  delay 
the  Tucks  agreed  with  Pinchinin  upon  the  price  of 
their  ranfom  ;  upon  which  they  were  releafed  from 
confinement,  and  lodged  in  the  houfe  of  Cataborn 
Mu/2apka,oneofthe  Turks,  who  became  their  new 
patron.  Caloen  was  foon  after  fent  in  a  veffel  bound 
to  Leghorn,  in  order  to  procure  the  liberty  of  the 
Turkifh  prifoners  in  exchange,  according  to  the 
agreement  made  between  theie  Turks  and  the 
friends  of  D'Aranda  and  his  companions,  who  de 
tained  the  Turkifh  prifoners  in  Flanders. 

D'Aranda  ftill  continued  with  Muftapha,  but  his 
refidence  here  was  of  fhort  duration  ;  for  Muftapha 
getting  drunk  one  day  quarrelled  with  a  Bulcebas,  a 
captain  of  foot,  whom  he  called  a  Chriftian.  For  this 
offence  Muftapha  furFered  irnprifonment,  and  by  or 
der  of  the  divan  received  a  hundred  blows  on  the 
back  with  a  cudgel  ;  after  which  he  was  compel- 
ied  to  ferve  fix  months  in  the  field  againft  king  Ben- 
nali. 

After  the  departure  of  Muftapha,  D'Aranda  was 
received  into  the  family  of  Mahomet  Celibi  Oiga, 
where  he  was  employed  in  the  capacity  of  a  fervant* 
Kere  he  foon  became  very  intimate  with  his  new 
miftreis  who  granted  h'im  many  liberties,  and  per 
mitted  him  to  attend  public  worihip  every  day  at 
Pinchinin's  bagnio. 

In  the  mean  time  Calcen,  who  was  not  fo  fortu 
nate,  was  imprifoned  in  the  houfe  of  Mufiapha's 
grandmother,  where  he  was  confined  to  a  imail 

apartment 


DESCRIPTION   OF  ALGIERS.    301 

apartment  with  nearly  80  weight  of  iron  about  his 
legs,  and  frequently  fent  into  the  country,  where 
his  keepers  were  inflrucled  to  torture  him  with  the 
moft  oppreiTive  hunger  in  order  to  expedite  the  pay 
ment  of  his  ranfom. 

At  the  expiration  of  fix  months  after  D'Aranda 
had  refided  at  Oiga's  houfe,  he  received  a  letter 
from  Saldens,  dated  at  Ceuta,  who  requefted  his  im 
mediate  attendance  at  Tetuan  in  the  kingdom  of 
Fez,  according  to  contract  Math  the  two  Turks. 
This  letter  contained  information  that  Caloen's  fa 
ther  had  abfolutely  refufed  to  pay  the  700  patacoons 
that  were  demanded  for  his  ranfom,  but  made  no 
particular  mention  of  the  five  Turks  who  were  to  be 
given  in  exchange  for  D'Aranda  and  his  compa 
nions. 

In  confequence  of  this  information  Muftapha's 
grandmother  immediately  ordered  Caloen  to  be 
confined  with  a  hundred  weight  of  iron  about  his 
legs,  in  a  fmall  cellar,  where  D'Aranda  frequently 
vifited  him;  and  one  day  while  he  was  with  him,  the 
old  woman  entered  the  cellar,  and  afked  Caloen  if  he 
was  willing  yet  to  pay  the  700  patacoons.  He 
made  no  anfwer,  but  laughed  at  her;  which  fo  great 
ly  enraged  the  old  lady,  that  (he  ordered  D'Aran 
da  to  be  feized  and  loaded  with  irons  in  the  fame 
cell,  becaufe  (he  had  imputed  Caloen's  conduct 
entirely  to  his  advice.  Here  they  remained  till  the 
time  fixed  for  the  departure  of  a  veilel  deftined  for 
Tetuan,  when,  by  the  int-jrceflion  of  three  Chriftian 
flaves  who  intended  to  embark  in  this  veffei,  they 
were  releafed  upon  a  promife  that  her  grandion 
Muftapha,  who  was  at  Ceuta,  fhould  be  liberated 
in  exchange. 

About  this  time  (which  was  thefirflof  January 

1642)  terminated  the  fail  of  Ramadan,  which  con.- 

C   c  tinued 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ALGIERS. 

tinned  for  a  month,  during  which  time  they  \vere 

ubited    from    eating  or  drinking   in  the  day; 

thole  v  ho  were  detecled   in  viofating    this  law 

were    compelled   to  fwallow   melted    lead.     About 

the  time  of  fan-let  the  people  uete  permitted  to  eat, 

drums  were  beaten  as  a  fignal  to  ceafe  from 

Lifting. 

To  this  faft  fucceeded  the  feftival  or  Eafter  of 
Ramadan,  which  continued  for  eight  days,  and  was 
celebrated  with  great  pomp  and  feftivity.  Caval 
cades  were  formed  without  the  city,  and  feats  of 
horiemanlhip  were  displayed.  The  Turkifh  chil 
dren  were  drawn  in  fmall  triumphal  chariots,  to 
which  Chriftian  Tuxes  were  harnalTed.  The  prin 
cipal  amufement  was  \\reftling, at  which  the  Moors 
were  very  expert.  The  prohibitions  of  the  Alco 
ran  feemed  very  little  regarded  at  this  time,  and 
wine  and  brandy  were  drank  in  the  greateft  excefs* 
In  the  time  of  this  feftival  gifts  were  diftributcd  to 
the  ilaves,  and  for  the  three  or  four  Brft  days  they 
were  exempted  from  every  kind  of  labour. 

On  the  I4th  of  January  D'Aranda  ar.d  Ca'cen, 
after  iettlin*:  all  preliminaries,  e  :i  a 

number  of  Turks  and  Chrlftian  flaves  on  board  the 
veiTe  1  bound  for  Tetuan.  On  the  eighth  dav  after 
they  -t  Oran,  which  is  about  forty  leagues 

Hi  Algiers,  and  on  the  twelfth  at  Trernefen, 
where  they  lay  at  anchor  three  days,  and  diichar- 
ged  part  of  their  Moorifn  ere 

Tremefen  was  formerly  a  powerful  kingdom,  to 

:h  the  dey  of  Algiers  was  tributary.     It  is  fi- 

tuated  at  the  ex:ren;i:y  of  the  Grand  Sig-n-r's  do- 

jv  the  empire  of  Morocco 

and  Fez,    \vl  h  the  Grand  Signior  is  in  i 

ance  ;  but  ootwithftandiog  this  empire  is  often  at 
warwiihthe  Alg-  i  this  happens  without  any 

violation 


DESCRIPTION   OF    ALGIERS,     303 

violation  to  the  confederacy.  The  fame  is  the 
cafe  with  Tunis,  which  is  included  in  the  Grand 
Signior's  dominions;  but  he  does  not  concern  him- 
felf  with  the  affairs  of  the  balhaws,  and  they  are 
not  confidered  at  war  till  fome  place  of  importance 
is  taken 

From  Tremefen  they  fet  fail  upon  their  voyage, 
and  fhortly  after,  in  confequencc  of  the  difchargtfof 
a  number  of  Moors,  a  confpiracy  was  formed  among 
theChriftian (laves  to  murder  all  the  Turks  on  board, 
and  to  render  themfelves  mailer  of  the  veflel.  But  the 
whole  defign  mifcanied  in  confequence  of  tke  ti 
midity  of  a  Spaniard,  who  was  the  principal  in  the 
confpiracy,  and  neglected  to  give  the  fignal  of  on- 
fet,  as  had  been  previoufly  concerted. 

On  the  twelfth  of  February  in  the  evening  they 
caft  anchor  in  a  bay  within  half  a  league  of  Te- 
tuan,  and  the  next  day  a  violent  ea ft  wind  arofe 
which  fubjeclcd  them  to  imminent  danger.  The 
Turks  terrified  at  the  ftorm  began  to  fay  their Ja/a 
or  prayers,  and  promifed  to  diftribute  aims  as  foon 
as  they  \vere  on  more.  But  the  tempeft  ftill  in- 
creafed  in  violence,  and  the  veflel  was  every  mo 
ment  in  danger  of  being  driven  upon  the  rocks.  In 
this  extremity  the  Turks  refolved  to  offer  a  facri- 
fice  to  Mahomet  as  their  lad  refource  ;  a  number 
of  fheep  being  always  taken  on  board  the  Turkifh 
vcflels  for  this  purpofe.  They  cut  one  of  thefe 
fheep  into  four  parts,  and  with  a  variety  of  ridicu 
lous  ceremonies  they  caft  the  parts  into  tlie  fea  en 
d.fFerent  quarters  of  the  veflel. 

The  tempeft  continued  to  increafe  till  midnight, 
at  which  time  the  veflel  began  to  drag  her  anchors. 
The  Turks  all  aflembled  at  the  ftern  in  the  utmoft 
confternation,  and  implored  the  afliftance  of  Ma 
homet  with  the  loudeft  lamentations.  The  veflel 

continued 


304     DESCRIPTION    OF  ALGIERS. 

continued  to  drag  her  anchors,  and  foon  after  fhe 
was  wrecked  upon  the  fhore,  but  the  principal  part 
of  the  crew  were  faved. 

D'Aranda  and  Caloen  were  greatly  overjoyed 
at  their  deliverance,  and  the  next  morning  they 
fet  out  for  Tetuan,  where  they  arrived  about  noon. 
While  they  continued  here  they  received  a  letter 
from  Don  Martin  de  Pegnalofo  a  Spanish  merchant 
at  Ceuta,  who  informed  them  that  Saldens  had 
gone  to  Gibraltar,  and  had  left  orders  with  hirrj 
to  furnifh  them  with  every  thing  neceflary. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Turkifh  prifoners  who  had 
been  detained  at  Flanders  had  arrived  at  Ceuta.  Muf- 
tapha  Ingles  one  of  the  prifoners,  imagining  that 
Saldens  had  returned  to  Flanders,  wrote  to  Tetuan 
to  the  Turk  who  had  charge  of  D'Aranda  and  Ca- 
Joen,  that  Saldens  had  promifed  when  he  was  in 
Flanders  to  pay  700  patacoons  towards  the  ranfom 
which  his  relations  had  paid  for  Caloeo,  and  that 
he  (hould  put  them  in  the  Mafmora*  The  perfon 
who  concerted  this  bufmcfs  was  Abraham  Arrais 
one  of  the  Turkim  prifoners,  who  reported  at  Ceu 
ta  that  D'Aranda  and  Caloen  had  promifed  700 
patacoons  before  their  departure  from  Algiers. 

In  confequence  of  this  letter  they  were  put  into 
the  Mafmora,  which  was  a  targe  vault  about  thir 
ty  feet  under  ground,  where  170  Chriftian  (laves 
were  confined.  While  they  were  in  this  fituatiorr 
D'Aranda  wrote  to  Saldens,  who  returned  to  Ceu- 
ta>  and  by  his  intercefiTion  they  were  liberated 
from  confinement,  and  foon  after  took  their  de 
parture  for  their  native  country. 


P   I    N    I    S. 


Subfcriber's   Names. 


A 

REV.  John  Armftrong,  Philadelphia 
Capt.  Thomas  Anderfon,  do 
Mr.  Thomas  Aikman,  Trenton 

Thomas  Adams,  Efq.  Burlington 

William  Allingham,  Philadelphia 

Frederick  Afher,  do 

Andrew  Allen,  jun.  do 

Nathaniel  Andrufs,  Newark 

B 

General  Jofeph  Eloomfield,  Burlington 
Meffrs.  Budd  £  Bartram,  Philadelphia 
Mr.  Samuel  Benezet,  Efq.  Benfaiern 

John  Barclay,  Montgomery  county 

Jofeph  Baldwin,  Nefhamany 

Richard  Bidgood,  Briftol 
• —  Baileyr  do 

Furman  Black>:  Philadelphia 

James  Baird>  do 

Peter  Borger,.  do 

James  Baily,  do 

John  Burnfide,  do 

J.  B.  Bond,  do          2  copies 

James  Bell,  do 

William  Brown,         do 

Edward  Brailsford,  South  Carolina 

Charles -Beffonett,  Briftol 

i'eter  Browne,  Efq,  Keniington 

John  Browu,  Briftol 

Jarnes  Brown,  Newark 

Nathaniel  Beach,  do 

Jofeph  Beach,  do 


SUBSCRIBER'S    NAMES. 

C 

Mr,  Benjamin  C.  Caihoon, "  Philadelphia 

Charles  .Chriftie,  do 

Anderfon  Cochran,  do 

Archibald  Craig,  do 

Daniel  Clark,  do 

Thomas  Carpenter,  do 

Jolhua  B.  Clibborn,  do 

George  Curvvin,  do 

Jofeph  Ciukfhank,  do 

Benjamin  Col,  Newark 

Ifrael  Curny,        do 

Jno.  Carfon,  Northumb.  county 

D 

Hon.  Jonathan  Dayton,  New-Jerfey 
Mifs  Eliza  Dalzell,  Philadelphia 
Mr.  John  Davis,  do 

Samuel  Dierman,     do 

Jonathan  D.  Woodruff,     do 

Andrew  Duffy,  do 

William  P.  Dobel,  Briftol 

John  Dibcr 

E 

Mrs.  Anne  Engles,  Philadelphia 
Mr,  Thomas  Eaftwick,  do 

Jofeph  L.  Engles  .do 

Owen  Evans,  cJo 

Jaxes  Ellifon,  do 

Thomas  Eden,  Harrifburgh 

Jofeph  Erwin,  Newton 
E 

Mifs  Eliza  Fifher,  Philadelphia 
]Nlrfc  Robert  Field,  New  Jerfey 

G 

Mifs  Jean  G  ribbon,  Philadelphia 
Mr.  Arthur  Gilmor,  do 

William  Gardner,  do 

Henry  Gordon,  do 

George  Guyger,  do 

John  Gofeiine,  Bridol 

j;,;;cz  Grcger>  Newark 


SUBSCRIBER'S  NAMES, 
H 

Mr.  John  Houflon,  Germantown,  6  copies 
John  Hutchinfon,  jun.  Briftol 
Jofeph  Hutchinfon,  do 

Lewis  Howard,  do 

James  Van  Hart,  do 

Peter  Hunt,  New-Jerfey 
William  Holmes,  Philadelphia 
Robert  Houfton,  Carliile 
John  Hawkins,  Bordenton 
Jofeph  Hopkinfon,  Efq.  Philadelphia 
Moles  Heddin,  Newark 

Hawk,  Red  Lion,  10  copies 

John  HofF,  Philadelphia 

Jared  Ingerfol,  Efq.  Philadelphia 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jarvisj  Philadelphia 

Mr.  Andrew  Johnfton,  York  Town,  IQ  copies 

William  Jones,  Philadelphia,  6  copies 

K 
Mr.  Harman  Kinfey,  Briltol 

Charles  Kirkham,  Philadelphia 

Henry  Kammerer,  jun.    do 

L 
Mr.  Richard  Lloyd,  Briftol 

James  Lawrie,  Philadelphia 

Samuel  Longcope,     do 

John  Loraine,  jun.    do 

Abraham  A.  Lott,  New-York 

Jofeph  Lafr,  Germantown 

Thomas  Langworth,  Newark 

Anthony  Lapre 

"M 

Robert  D-  Murray,  Efq.  Newton 
Mr.  Archibald  M'Elroy,  Briftol,   10  copies 

John  M'Elroy,  Dunkifs- Ferry,  10  copies 

Robert  Morris,  jun.  Morrifvil.ie,  2  copies 

John  Ma nin," Philadelphia 

James  M'GIaflin,  do 

George  vValhia^ton  M'Elroy,  do 

Sf  M«l?arlane,  New-York 


SUBSCRIBER'S    NAME  3, 

Mr.  William  M'Glathery,  Montgomery  county 

James  McDowell,  do 

John  M<Kean,  Briftol 

Timothy  Merrick,  do 

Jofeph  Minnick,      do 

John  Murray,  do 

Henry  Muhlenbergi  Philadelphia 

John  M'Ara,  do 

James  M*G lathery,  do 

Benjamin  McDowell,         do 

William  Morris,  do 

William  P.  Meeker,         do 

James  MagofUn,  do 

Alexander  Mitchell  do 

Barnabas  M'Shane,  do 

William  Mott,  do 

Samuel  R.  Marftiall,  Barbadoes 

George  Myers,  Germantown 

B.  Moore,  Philadelphia 

John  Meafe,  jun.  do 

John  Mafley,         do 

Robert  Meafe,      do 

N 

Mr.  John  Neilfon,  Philadelphia- 
William  Nigley,       do 

George  Nifbetr,         do 

Winnard  Nice,  Germantown 

Robert  Newlin,  Morrifvi  lie 

David  Nichols,  Newark 

Samuel  Nichols,      do 

o 

Mr.  James-O'DonnelJ,  Philadelphia 

David  Olden,  Princeton 

Aaron  Ogden,  Newark 

P 

Mrs.  Pancake,  Germantown 
Mrs.  Mary  Anne  Parkinfon,  Philadelphia ; 
Mr,  Titian  R.  Peale,  do 

Z.  Philips,  do 


SUBSCRIBER 's    NAMES, 

Mr.  George  Paine,  New  Mills 

George  Painter,  Burlington 

Jonathan  Purfell,  Briftol 

Thomas  Pcarfon,  Darby 

Peter  Pay  an,  Trenton 

Thomas  Porter,  Richland 

Samuel  Pleafants,  jun,  Philadelphia 

Richard  Parkinfon,  do 

Ralph  Philips,  Newjerfey 

R 
Mr.  Charles  Redifer,  Montgomery  county 

Job  Roberts,  Efq.  do 

William  Rodman,  Benfalem 

Gilbert  Rodman,         do 

Samuel  Richards*  Briftol 

Edward  Rawley,  Philadelphia 

Robert  Ralfton,  jun,      do 

John  Roney,  do 

Gabriel  Ral  (Ion  do 

John  Rodes,  do 

William  Rofs,  do 

John  Raifton,  do 

R.alph  Rutledge,  do 

Jofeph  Reed,  Efq.          do 

Jonathan  Rhea,  Efq.  Trenton 

^ 

Mrs.  Prudence  Sleter,  Lancafter 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Scaife,  Philadelphia 
Rev.  Abraham  Supplee,  Montgom.  county 
Mr.  Peter  Supplee,  do 

Henry  Scheetz,  do 

Juftiis  Scheetz,  do 

George  Stockham,  Briftol 

James  ScanJan,  Philadelphia 

Samuel  Sanfom>  jun.     do 

Samuel  Sears,  do 

John  Smith,  do 

Robert  Stinhoufe,          do 

William  Sergeant,         do 


SUBSCRIBER'S  NAMES. 

Mr*  Jno.  Scott,  Bedford  county 

Thomas  Sealy,  Barbadoes 

William  Sims,  New  Jerfey 

Benjamin  Stevens,  Philadelphia 

William  Smith,  do 

\VillianiSanfom,  do 

T 
Mr.  Hugh  Tomb,  Briftol 

John  Thomas,  Montgomery  county 

George  Taylor,  Philadelphia 

William  Traylor,         do 

Charles  Teas,  do 

Peter  Thomfon  do 

Thomas  Thurfby,         do 

Ifaac  Thomas,  do 

Jonathan  Tyfon,  do 

John  Thomfon,  do 

George  Taylor,  do 

Thomas  Twigey,  New- Jerfey,  2  copier 

Mr.  Benjamin  Volentine,  Philadelphia 

Peter  Weife,  Montgomery  county 

Robert  Webb,  Philadelphia 

«= Wefton>        do     10  copies 

John  Willis,  do 

Jonathan  D.  Woodruff,  do 

Charles  Whyte,  do 

Peter  Walters,  do 

James  C.  Wiliiamfob,      do. 

JbfiahWefl,  do 

Auguflus  Willit,  Benfaiem 

Benjamin  Walton,  Briftol 

B.  Woutcrs 

Chriftopher  \Vertz,  fen.  Bucks  county 

Anthony  W.  White,  Brunfwick 

Xearney  Wiarton,  Philadelphia 

H.  W.  Wefton,  do 

Z 
Mr.  Jacob  Zeller,  Philadelphia,  10  copies 


t    I 

J*  As  there  arc  feveral  fubfcription  lifts  not  yet 
received,"  fuch  fubfcribers  whofe  names  may  be 
omitted  will  pleafe  to  excufe  the  editors,  as 
thefe  lifts  could  not  be  procured  without  re 
tarding  the  publication  of  the  work. 


IN  THE  PRESS, 

HALYBURTOIsTs  ENQUIRY 


INTO     THE 


PRINCIPLES 


OF    THE 


MODERN  DEISTS. 

jCorreded  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  CHARLES  NISBET, 
Prefident  of  Dickinfon  College. 

The  feafonablenefs  of  this  publication  tmtft  be  e*vidcnty — 
fwhen  the  Deiftical  writings  of  Thomas  Paii^  and  others, 
have  obtained  fuch  a  univerfal  circulation  in  the  United 
States*  Anfwers  to  thefe  writings  have  been  h'u^ierous^  and 
fome  of  them  juftly  celebrated ;  fuch  as  Eifbop  Wat/ws^  ard 
feme  ctken.  But  neither  Eijhop  V/atfon  not-  any  other  wri 
ter  has  treated  this  conirovcrfy  in  the  manner  Mr,  luly- 
burton  has  done.  He  has  taken  the  Dt[fis  nfott  tfotit  -.•fu.'n 
ground,  and  refiing  the  'matter  chiefly  on  the  tru'rnt:*  rvi- 
dence  of  the  hjly  fcriptures>  proving  their  dwine  original 
from  their  effefls  upon  the  hearts  and  covfcitnces  of  went 
and  Jhecwing  the  utter  infufficiency  of  nature's  licht  to  lead 
mankind  ti  kappinefs^  has  cut  every  ft  re  by  <u.£ich  the  fir- 
gttmcnts  of  Dtijiicol  writers  are  fopforted, — It  /';  hoped  the 


friends  of  Divine  Revelation  <will  cheerfully  grant  their j up- 
port  to  a  work  Jo  much  calculated  for  the  benefit  of  the  pre- 
font  and  rifing  generations* 

Subfcriptions  received  by  John  Montgomery,  merchant, 
Carlifle;  James  Shorty  merchant,  York  Bujrough;  Alex* 
ander  Cunningham,  ftore-keeper,  Waftiington  ;  J.  Hep 
burn,  J.  Covoden,  and  A.  McDonald,  Northumberland; 
George  Gofmany  in  Cortlandt-iireet,  and  James  Ycung, 
fchoolmalter,  New- York  ;  Dr.  Still  max*  Bofton  ;  John 
M*Culloch>  No.  i,  North  Third-ftreet,  and  by  the  Pub- 
lifhers,  in  George^ftreet  third  door  below  South-ftrcct> 
Philadelphia. 


Lately  Publifhcd, 

And  for  fale  by  JOHN  M*CULLOCH,  N°.  i,  North 
Third-ftreet,  and  by  the  publifhers, 

( Price  60  Cents) 

MEMOIRS 

O    F 

MR.  HALYBURTON. 

With  a  recommendatory  Preface  by  Dr»  WATTS, 


m 

'  '•'  I 


port 


* 


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